Batavia goalkeeper Mike Rueffer enters his senior soccer season as one of few familiar faces in the Bulldogs’ program. After graduating all but four members of its Upstate Eight Conference River Division title team, Batavia will rely on a wealth of varsity newcomers in 2012. Rueffer likes what he has seen so far and addressed his optimism while catching up with Kane County Chronicle sports reporter Kevin Druley for this week’s edition of the Weekend Chit-chat. Also a basketball standout, Rueffer further discussed his bustling summer and a likely platoon in goal. The following is an edited transcript:

After a few days of camp now, how are things shaping up for the team?

I think we’ll have a good team again. People probably will be overlooking us because we graduated 16 seniors, but I think we have some good experience and good leaders with the guys returning – John Barnes, Nick Samperi, Ryan Milligan and me.