FARMVILLE – The Prince Edward County High School soccer team showed that it's ready to begin the 2012 season with an 8-0 home victory over Cumberland on Monday night.

The Eagles, who led 3-0 at the intermission, scored the eighth and game-ending goal in the 78th minute.

“We played well,” said PE first-year head coach Sebastian Chirila. “We struggled in the beginning at taking shots, but as the game went on, our shot selection got better, and we put together two good halves. I really liked how we passed the ball.”

Cumberland used the game as a teaching session.

“Prince Edward is a tough season-opener, but we quickly learn what we need to work on,” said fourth-year head coach Heather Sutton. “They found our weaknesses and exposed them. Now we see what we need to tone up.”

Prince Edward didn't waste much time in setting the tone as senior James Farley scored in the first minute. Peter Carter added a second goal in the 20th minute and freshman Bryce Dietrich scored on a penalty kick in the 37th minute to give the Eagles a comfortable lead at the half.

Carter and Dietrich scored a pair of goals in the game, while Liam Burke and Kyle Burns added second half goals.

“We've got a few soccer players and a lot of athletes right now, and it shows,” said Sutton, whose roster consists of a number of football players. American football. “They're still football minded in that they're used to setting a play, playing, and setting another play. Soccer is a continuous game.”

Prince Edward showed where it had advantages in technique and overall soccer skill. It's an advantage Chirila hopes the Eagles will continue to show throughout the season.

“Most of these players have played together for a number of years now,” said Chirila, who takes over for Chris McCormick, who retired after building the program almost from its infancy. “It's my first year as head coach, but I've been on the staff a while, and I know the players and what they can do, and they know me and what I expect.”

So far, it appears to be a seemless transition.

“We don't have to rebuild anything,” said Chirila. “We can build on what's in place.

“We're trying to implement a system that allows us to do as much as possible with as little effort as possible.”

Cumberland will have to learn on the run, against a district that's as strong as it has ever been.

“Bringing in Bluestone, and Nottoway along with bringing back Goochland really strengthens our league, but it makes it more difficult to move up. Especially since Amelia and Buckingham return strong teams. What I like, though, is that we have a group that is both athletic and coachable. They want to do better, and they're excited and ready to go. They don't question, they just do, and that's something that's going to help us down the road.”

While the James River District became stronger at the top, the Southside lost its perennial champion with Powhatan's move to the Jefferson District. It's no longer a battle between the rest of the district for second place.

The district will not hold a tournament, instead after playing a double round-robin schedule, the top two teams will advance to the Region 1 Playoffs.

“That's big for the five teams in the league,” said Chirila. “We all have a tangible goal of a championship, and it's going to be wide open. All five teams will be motivated to get the title. Park View and Southampton were strong last year, but Brunswick and Greensville are developing their programs, and with the incentive of the championship, may be just a little more hungry.”