After consecutive postseason appearances, Ridgeview’s boys soccer team is looking for an even bigger year in league play.

The No. 21 Ravens (0-0-1 Intermountain Conference, 2-2-1 overall) fought back from a 1-0 deficit Sept. 20 to draw No. 16 Hood River Valley 1-1 in the opener in the new-look league for both teams. Cade O’Neill picked up the Ravens’ goal in the 44th minute off an assist from Jose Robles.

The Eagles won their conference title in 2017 and went on to the Class 5A playoff quarterfinals. While Ridgeview was a play-in team last season, Hood River was the only current IMC team to reach playoffs.

Ridgeview has several all-Intermountain Conference players back from last season, including centerback Isaac Grusy, who heads the defense, and Christian Kim, who scored two goals last week in a match against Crescent Valley.

After two losses to open the season, Ridgeview has seen improvement, said Ravens coach Jimmy Kim, Christian’s father.

“I think we’re playing well,” coach Kim said. “I think we’re on track, and, actually, pretty far ahead of where we were last year. The boys are playing with confidence and they’re hungry too.”

Jimmy Kim has been particularly pleased with the way the Ravens have done a good job of maintaining possession and controlling the tempo of the match, he said.

The IMC doesn’t include the three Bend schools, which have moved up to Class 6A. While the Ravens aren’t as familiar with the new league opponents, other than Redmond, Jimmy Kim feels good.

“If the way we are playing is any indication, I think we’re going to have a good run this year,” he said.

“When you subtract these huge schools out of our league, and bring in four smaller-size schools that are more comparable to us, it’s exciting because we don’t know much about the teams, but we’re confident we match up well.”

Other top returnees for the Ravens include O’Neill, a second team all-league pick in 2017, as well as honorable mention all-IMC players Jonathan Orozco, Robles and Nathan Webb, who said the Ravens are capable of their first top-two finish in Class 5A.

“I feel like we have more chemistry than any of the other years (I’ve been here),” Webb said. “We get along super well.”

Robles said the team is doing well, though he would like to see Ridgeview be more clinical in front of the goal.

“Overall, I think we have a pretty good chance with the league change, but we are going to have some tough opponents,” he said.

One place they do have a new face is in goal, where 2017 IMC co-most valuable player Alex Nadermann has moved on to college. Jimmy Kim said junior Dalen Buckley-Noonan has done a good job at goalkeeper.

“His reflexes and athleticism are really great,” Kim said. “He’s learning along the way, but he’s a really great learner. He’s improving match by match.”

The Ravens play host to No. 30 Redmond at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Ridgeview’s football stadium. The Ravens play at No. 26 The Dalles Thursday before returning home Oct. 2 to play No. 31 Crook County.

Christian Kim looks forward to showing what he can do as a senior. He would like to play in college but said he hasn’t narrowed his choices down.

“I feel the need to put more leadership on my shoulders,” he said. I feel like I need to contribute even more now.”

— Reporter: 541-548-2186, gfolsom@redmond spokesman.com