Coach Ross Sandberg’s Butte College Men’s Soccer team have been dealt a firm jolt back to reality following the heights of their historic run to the State Championship Final last year in the form of three losses on the bounce in their first outings of the 2025 season.

Defeats to Modesto, Cosumnes River and De Anza by scorelines

of 2-1, 1-0 and 2-0 respectively have left the Roadrunners facing an uphill battle to regain form and fulfil the potential of what is an undeniably talented group.

With a number of key players from last year moving on to highly ranked four-year universities around the country, Coach Sandberg was faced with a comprehensive rebuild coming into the 2025 campaign. A successful recruiting window culminated in a strong group of incoming freshmen, combining a treasure trove of international recruits with some exciting local talent, as assistant coach Austin Matthews labeled the squad “the deepest we’ve seen in a long time.”

Unlocking this potential has proven difficult so far however, as Sandberg’s side have struggled across the board with bluntness in attack appearing to be the most pressing issue, managing to find the net just once in three games. This could be chalked up to a lack of familiarity however, as a significantly changed squad seeks to develop chemistry and understanding.

The experience of returning playoff hero and newly appointed captain Matteo DiGennaro and cultured playmaker Beckham Pointer supported by a number of talented arrivals means it is surely a matter of time before Butte re-discover their attacking spark.

The Roadrunners aim to return to winning ways this Tuesday 2 September, as they make the short trip to face the Yuba College Miners away from home.