It was a historic moment for Oliver Ames High School last November when the boys’ soccer team took home the school’s first state title.

After losing to Concord-Carlisle in the 2014 Division 2 title game, last year’s squad topped Masconomet, 3-1, to claim the crown.

It was a grueling road to get there. The Tigers squeaked out two double-overtime victories during the playoffs to finish the season unbeaten (18-0-3).

“It was great to win the title, but that was last year,’’ senior captain Thomas McCormick said. “We’re going to work very hard to hopefully achieve all the goals we set for ourselves this year.’’

McCormick is one of six returning starters from last year’s championship roster. Already a proven scorer with 20 goals over his career, the striker will have to step up even more as the Tigers are now without Christopher Romero, a Hockomock League all-star and member of the all-state team.

Romero recorded 12 goals and 16 assists last year, playing every position coach John Barata asked of him, including moving to center back in the title game.

“We lost a lot of good players,’’ said Barata, now entering his eighth season at the helm. “But that’s high school ball. It’s a flowing river.’’

Juniors Matthew Alvarado and Nathaniel Cardoza have been injured for the majority of the preseason. Alvarado is recovering from a dislocated shoulder but was expected to return for the season opener. Cardoza will take a little longer as he nurses a hyperextended toe.

“He may be the best player I’ve coached at Oliver Ames,’’ Barata said, citing Cardoza’s clean, simple technique and his strong work ethic.

Like McCormick, Cardoza already has proved he can get it done in high-pressure situations. All of the center midfielder’s six career goals have been game-winners, including the go-ahead goal in the state title game.

All four starting defenders from last year’s team have graduated, so much of the burden falls on senior captain Cam Johnson, who received plenty of minutes coming off the bench during last year’s playoff run. Junior goalkeeper Jack Carroll also returns.

In the team’s scrimmage against Brockton High on Sept. 2, the Tigers’ back line looked promising, giving up two goals to the reigning Division 1 South champs.

Norton also is coming off an unbeaten season (23-0-1) and the first state title in school history. But the defending Division 3 champs are now without goalie Ryan Blakely, who had a 38-4-1 record between the posts over two seasons.

Coach Eric Greene is turning to junior Robbie Bukowski to man the net, and is relying on junior center back Eben Degbor to repeat his solid 2015 campaign.

“He’s a big-time rock,’’ said Greene of Degbor.

Degbor will no longer be playing alongside outside back Ian Pereira. Pereira will move to the wing, where the junior will use his speed and endurance to pester opposing players from end line to end line.

Joining him on the Lancers’ front line will be senior captain Nick Reynolds. With Tri-Valley League MVP Jon Lach now at Southern New Hampshire University, Reynolds will lead the Lancers’ offense.

“[Reynolds] was a big reason for a lot of [Lach’s] success last year,’’ Greene said.

“Now I have to take on the role of main goal scorer,’’ said Reynolds, who was impressed with his team’s ball movement and eight goals in their first two scrimmages.

At the center of it all is midfielder Jordan Lach, Jon’s brother. A Tri-Valley League all star in 2015, the senior captain will have to balance feeding his striker and helping the inexperienced back line.

Lach knows there’s a lot to work on, especially “closing people down across the field,’’ but he’s hopeful the Lancers will again go deep into the tournament.

“We’re not the same team, but I think we have a real good chance to go far.’’

Sam Boyles can be reached at samuel.boyles@globe.com.