A familiar face is about to lead Moon soccer into a new era.

The Tigers open their 2007 campaign this weekend in a tournament at Center, and the two games that weekend will begin the John Arnold era at Moon.

Arnold, a 1991 Moon graduate, was officially named the new head coach by the Moon school board over the summer, replacing the Tigers' coach of 14 years, including the last seven, Arne Thomas.

Thomas accumulated a 219-62-22 record at Moon, including two WPIAL titles. He resigned after last season, citing a desire to spend more time with his two daughters, the older of whom begins high school this year.

Now Arnold, a former player for Thomas and Moon assistant for the last decade, gets his turn.

"It's not a huge change for me, except there's a lot of administrative things that I have to do now," Arnold said.

"The program is on the same track it has been. Arne and I have coached together at Moon and with Beadling (Soccer Club), and all the assistants have worked with me and Arne before."

"It is kind of exciting for me," Arnold added.

That excitement may have been bolstered by two solid scrimmage performances by his team.

In the team's first scrimmage last week, Moon played North Allegheny tough until the game's final 15 minutes, conceding two goals to fall 3-1.

Then, last Tuesday, the Tigers faced Fox Chapel, a perennial power and likely Top 5 team when the Tribune-Review Class AAA soccer rankings are released. Moon was able to split the result at home against the Foxes, ending with a 2-2 draw.

Those preseason games were designed to help Moon get ready for its second year back in Class AAA. Last year, after jumping up in class, the Tigers went 7-8-2, missing the playoffs for the first time this decade.

"The boys realize what it's like now," Arnold said. "They'll come into this season a little more optimistic and with a little less shaky knees."

"I think we'll fare much better, just because of confidence level alone."

Moon will open the regular season against Class A power Seton-La Salle at Center, this Saturday at 5:30 p.m.