Benicia High’s boys varsity soccer team made a poor 2015 debut in Napa on Tuesday, opening the season with a lackluster 5-0 loss to the Indians.

The Panthers looked caught off guard in the first half as the Indians (4-0) ripped off four unanswered goals for a commanding lead at the break. Benicia’s defense didn’t do much to protect new sophomore goalkeeper Tyrell Cabrigas, who allowed all four first-half goals.

“We made too many self-inflicted mistakes and did a lot of standing around and watching,” said Benicia head coach Javier Martinez. “We just didn’t play fundamentally sound.”

Junior goalkeeper Michael O’Leary allowed only one goal in the second half, but Benicia’s offense never got going. Landon Elfstrom had the best scoring opportunity for the Panthers but had his shot turned away.

“We got a little more physical in the second half and it meant a lot to me to see them play a lot better,” Martinez said. “They kept us within range. Napa always fields good teams against us and we usually give them a good game, but we couldn’t recover from the mistakes we made.”

“Our players are representing the school and they need to play with more passion and with some heart. It’s not a Sunday pick-up game. We just played too timid. We weren’t being aggressive and taking control of the game.”

The Panthers got another crack at a victory Wednesday against Wood in Vacaville. Details were not available at press time.

“If we continue to play individual soccer and not get a lot of touches, were going to be an average or below-average team,” Martinez said.

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