The Brentwood Christian School boys soccer team was a-"head" of the competition in Thursday's first match of the season vs. Veritas Academy.

The squad scored two headers, from junior Liam McGaughy in the first half and from junior Jacob Valladares with 1:30 to play, to defeat the Defenders and open up 2024 on a strong note.

BCS made the most of its chances in the Veritas third, pushing the pace throughout the match. McGaughy took advantage of a deflected clearing and cleaned up the mess with a nifty header to the upper 90 right post to open the scoring. Veritas then equalized in the second half with 25:00 to play on a missile from over 100 feet.

Valladares would make it a special night for Brentwood just inside of two minutes, taking a corner kick from senior Jack Weston and heading it true for the team's first win of 2024.

On the girls side, senior Eden Peterson's penalty kick goal in the first half was enough for the girls to draw even, 1-1, with Veritas. The Defenders equalized late in the second half, but after losing their first match of the season, the draw was a step in the right direction for the Lady Bears.

The squads will rest up now for district play, which begins Jan. 10 at home vs. Brook Hill School.