After three straight losing seasons marked by ever-shrinking numbers, the Pilgrim boys’ soccer team has reached the light at the end of the tunnel.

It can only get brighter from here.

Thanks to an influx of 15 freshmen – many with significant soccer experience – the Patriots have 31 players in the program, a far cry from the years when it was tough to even put together a junior varsity squad.

It’s only a start. The Pats have a long way to go. But even for now, the youth movement, combined with the presence of a small but dedicated veteran core, have the Pats feeling some optimism.

“We’ve got good numbers,” said head coach Bill Carroll. “We’ve got some good freshmen. I’ve been waiting for this crew to come in, numbers-wise and with decent talent. I’m quite happy with what we’ve got.”

It’s a nice change for the Pats. Not too long ago, they were a perennial contender. In 2007, they were the Division II runner-up. But the number crunch caught up with them the last three years as several small freshmen classes followed one after another. Last year, the Pats still had some talent but they couldn’t put much together in a 1-13-1 campaign.

This year’s team will actually have less experience, but the increased numbers will make it feel like the beginning of a rebuild.

“It’ll be a learning process this year,” Carroll said. “We’ll take our lumps, we’ll win a few and hopefully they’ll progress through the years.”

The Pats won’t have to rely completely on their young players, thanks to a strong group of captains. Devin Ramos, Chris Ray and David Saran have all played big minutes in the past and will gladly light the way for their younger teammates.

“Our three captains are passionate about it,” Carroll said. “They’re a good group.”

Ramos and Ray anchored the defense for Pilgrim in last week’s Warwick Vets Fall Soccer Tournament. Saran can play defense or midfield, and is also a threat to score on set pieces.

The Pats also have seniors Sam Schoepfer and Sam Young, who don’t have as much experience but are ready to do their part.

In goal, Pilgrim brings back junior Liam Strain, who saw the bulk of the duty in net last year. He’s being challenged this season by Jim Reynolds.

“They’ll be fighting for it,” Carroll said. “I told Liam it’s his to lose and told Jim it’s his to win. It’ll be up to them how they perform. It’s a good battle between them.”

The rest of the lineup is in flux, as Pilgrim looks for the right mix.

The junior class includes Gabriel Diplan, Kamron Murphy and Bryant Riess, with Murphy coming back with the most experience. Sophomores Christopher Black and Patrick Reilly are competing for time, as well.

Then come the freshmen. Six of them were dressing varsity for the Vets tournament: Niall Blackadar, Sean Blanchard, Domenic DeNuccio, Thomas McMullen, Evan O’Connor and Matthew Woods. Several others could push for a jump from JV as the year goes on.

“A lot of them are going to have to play,” Carroll said. “There are going to be three or four in the starting lineup. I’ve got some down on JV who are knocking on the door. I told the other kids, the upperclassmen, that they’ve got kids waiting on the doorstep. I’ll bring them up when necessary.”

It’s nice to have that luxury, for a change.

The Pats will see what they can do with it. In the Vets tournament, Pilgrim got a free-kick goal from Saran to beat Vets 1-0 then lost 2-1 to Toll Gate in the championship. Saran scored a late goal to tie the game, before the Titans answered immediately for the win.

It was a start, and the Pats will try to build from it.

“We’ll be okay,” Carroll said.

Pilgrim begins league play with a visit to Mt. Hope today at 4 p.m.