The Cedar Ridge men’s soccer team endured one of the hottest days of the year to win its season-opener on Monday night. Cedar Ridge defeated Eno River Academy 4-2 at Red Wolves Stadium. Senior co-Captain Iliah Babchenko scored the game-winning goal in the first half as Cedar Ridge won its season opener for the first time since 2019. Andy Tarija, Gael Antunez-Nunez and Dominic McNerney also tallied goals for the Red Wolves. Babchenko and Antunez-Nunez also assisted on goals. Sophomore goalkeeper Erik Galunas earned the win. He finished with five saves, including one on a penalty kick. Cedar Ridge went 5-15-2 last season. The Red Wolves haven’t reached the state playoffs since 2017 and are looking to reach the field of 64. Two years ago, during head coach Chauncey Brunmmel’s first season, Cedar Ridge was the last team out of the 2021 state playoffs. Cedar Ridge had to replace leading scorer Chris Mendez from last season, but have a wide array of midfielders that can put the ball in the net. The home game on Monday night was the final game inside Red Wolves Stadium for the next few weeks. Cedar Ridge starts a four-game road trip on Thursday night against Voyager Academy in Durham. The Red Wolves travel to Henderson to face Vance County next Monday.