Coach Eric Ferguson lost several seniors from last year's Laurel High boy's soccer team.
But that has been just one of several challenges for the veteran, now in his 11th season as the head coach of the Spartans.
The Laurel High boys and girls varsity soccer teams, including the JV programs, have been forced to practice on a lower field for several weeks since the main football/soccer field at Laurel High is growing new grass after it was re-seeded in mid-July.
"It is in repair," Ferguson said of the main Laurel High field. "I did not make the decision on that."
Ferguson is not sure when the main field will be ready but Oxendine said he hopes the new grass will have grown in time for the soccer and football teams to be able to use them by early October.
"The grass had to grow and that kind of stuff. They started a little late," Oxendine said of the county maintenance department.
With the main field not available, the Laurel High soccer teams are playing their home games at Forestville Military Academy in southern Prince George's, about 25 miles from Laurel High.
Oxendine said that location was chosen with the opposing team in mind as well in terms of travel distance.
The Laurel boys soccer team won its first two games on the road. They defeated Gwynn Park, 6-0, in the season opener and nipped Bowie, 2-1 in overtime, on Sept. 20.
Ferguson said before the Bowie game the Bulldogs would be one of the top teams in the Prince George's Class 4A South Region behind Parkdale.
"Right now I would have to give Parkdale an edge," Ferguson said.
Bowie, 10-9 last year, lost seven senior starters from last year and then senior goalie Roberto Camacho was lost for the season when he suffered an ACL injury in a pre-season match against Indian Creek.
The Bulldogs had one freshman, four sophomores and six juniors in the starting lineup in a 6-2 loss at Broadneck on their opener on Sept. 8.
"The core group I have is really strong. It is more of a rebuilding year for us," said Bowie head coach Frantz Deetjen.
In between the triumphs, the Spartans suffered their only loss, 2-1, against Parkdale. That was the first game they played at Forestville Military Academy as the home team.
"We played well; I thought we did well. I have a very young team," Ferguson said. "Most of the players are sophomores. We just could not finish it. It was not a dominating performance from Parkdale, but they played well."
The Spartans starting lineup includes five sophomores, one freshman, three juniors and two seniors.
Captain David Flores and standout Fela Osefesi are two players to watch this season.
The season-opening victory over Gwynn Park gave the coach optimism.
"It was an exciting game for our first outing," Ferguson said. "The younger players stepped up. I think we had a letdown in the pitch (in game two). That is going to happen."
Laurel hosts Northwestern today at 3:30 at Forestville Military Academy.
Laurel players at Howard
The men's soccer team at Howard Community College in Columbia includes several former Laurel High players.
Laurel High graduates with the team are Oluwatobi Osifeso, Myles Ayuketah and Moses Olubo. Osifeso had one goal in the first eight games for HCC, which was 4-4 overall.
Laurel residents who graduated from Reservoir High now playing at Howard Community College are Andre Dachao, Daniel Morales and Kevin Ozozo.
A freshman defender for Division II Washington Adventist is Eduin Hernandez Canaca, a graduate of Laurel High.
The HCC women's soccer roster includes Laurel resident Tina Gray, a freshman from Reservoir High.
Gray came off the bench in the first five games and scored one goal for the Dragons, who won five of their first seven contests.
The Laurel High girls soccer coach is Randall Marshall, a former standout at St. Vincent Pallotti who played at Division I Delaware State.