This time last year, the Northridge High School boys soccer team didn't exist.

The Vikings did not have enough players for a team, forcing the program to go on hiatus.

But through four games this season, the Vikings are unbeaten.

On Sept. 6, Northridge defeated visiting Johnstown 5-2, snapping a seven-game losing streak to its rival. The last time the Vikings won in the series was 2003, a 2-0 victory.

"We have been defending well and we have been scoring a lot early," first-year coach Leonard Moffatt said. "When you score early, that gives you an advantage toward winning."

The Johnnies reached the net first in this meeting on Trevor McGee's goal, but the Vikings answered with the first of two goals from Hayden Warner and a goal from Parker Fox. Johnstown's Collin Peterson scored in the final two minutes of the first half to tie the game at 2.

But the Vikings scored three second-half goals to secure the victory. Sophomore Connor Wood scored in the first minute after halftime to give his team the lead for good.

"We wanted to come out and get a quick goal early in the second half," Moffatt said. "When you do that, it gets your opponents confused on the field and it gives you an advantage."

Warner then had his second goal and Sean Higgins capped the scoring. Goalkeeper Alex Shedloski had eight saves.

"We have been playing really well as a team," said Warner, who has seven goals in four games. "Our defense has been crazy good and they have been talking a lot. Our front line has been great and we have an amazing keeper (in Shedloski)."

The Vikings have surrendered five goals in four games.

On Sept. 4, Northridge defeated East Knox 3-1 as Fox scored twice and Warner had one goal. Jack Roudebush and Wood had assists and Shedloski had seven saves.

"(After not having a program last year) we had a lot of work to do," Shedloski said. "We have been playing well, but we still have a lot of things to work on. We're not where we want to be."

Northridge plays Tuesday, Sept. 11, at home against Village Academy. The Vikings play at Johnstown on Thursday, Sept. 13.

Football team to open MBC play

The football team, which played Millersport on Sept. 7, opens its MBC schedule Friday, Sept. 14, at home against Fredericktown.

The game marks the beginning of the final season of the MBC. Northridge heads to the Licking County League next season with Johnstown and Utica.

Last season, the Vikings lost to the Freddies 41-8 and finished 0-7 in the MBC behind champion Johnstown (7-0). They have lost 22 consecutive league games.

The Freddies were 1-1 before playing Lucas on Sept. 7. They defeated Sparta Highland 36-32 on Aug. 24 and lost to Ready 49-14 on Aug. 31.

Against Ready, Fredericktown had just 55 yards rushing on 28 carries. Quarterback Austin Hathaway was 17 of 34 passing for 183 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. Chris Hoar caught five passes for 41 yards and one score.

On Aug. 31, the Vikings dropped to 1-1 by losing 58-7 to host Lakewood. Connor Hess rushed for 41 yards on four carries and caught three passes for 33 yards. Drew Mullen recovered a pair of fumbles and Zack Rudy had 12 tackles, six solo.