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By Brian Pitts

Enterprise Record

Russ Fisher’s first game as the Davie boys soccer coach was everything he hoped it would be, a 9-1 home win over Southeast Guilford on Aug. 12.

If anyone deserved some joy, it was the War Eagles, who finished 1-20 last year while scoring 15 goals.

“I couldn’t ask for better,” Fisher said. “When we scored about 30 seconds in, I was like: ‘Alright, here we go.’”

Both teams were punching bags in 2023, when the Falcons went 1-21. This marked their 21st consecutive loss.

No one had a bigger night than junior Justin Rayas, who poured in three goals and added two assists. To put that effort in perspective, the 2023 scoring leader for Davie was Santiago Maganda with three goals. Rayas matched that in a couple hours. It was Davie’s first hat trick in six years; Luke Stillson had three goals in a 6-5 win at Atkins in 2018.

“He’s very talented,” Fisher said. “Like I’ve said before, we have a very talented midfield. He’s definitely a good centerpiece for us. He can create. He has a really good shot at the goal and has a really good head on his shoulders, too. He knows when to let stuff go. If you have a referee issue or another-player-on-the-field issue, he knows when to pull somebody back and say: ‘Hey, let’s keep our focus on the game.’ So he’s definitely going to be a big part for us this year.”

Sophomore Max Rappaport, sophomore Ethan Christie, junior Jaxon Cruse, senior Gage Whitaker, sophomore Dylan Cassetta and sophomore Andy Longeres had one goal each as Davie put up the most goals in, deep breath, 18 years.

Cassetta (two assists) and sophomore Hamza Heikal (one) helped Davie score the most goals since a 10-1 win at South Rowan in 2006.

“He had a very quiet stat line, but Ethan was dominant,” Fisher said. “He’s an ECNL National player, so he’s very good and most people know him if you’re coaching in the area. He’s just that good. He was a problem for Southeast in the midfield, and he contributed a lot to our success.”

The starting defenders did good work as Davie stopped a nine-game losing streak. Give credit to seniors Karson Yount, Alex Torres and Zach Hill and sophomore Hernan Granadero.

“The defense was great,” he said. “It was a really good feeling to have the defense hold strong like that.”

Starmount 2, Davie 0

The second game, though, left a lot to be desired, especially in the first half. Starmount built a 2-0 halftime lead and held on at War Eagle Stadium on Aug. 14.

“In the first half we were very flat and unresponsive,” Fisher said. “We played very poor and gave up two goals. In the second half we played better, but to beat good teams we have to be better and play to our potential.”

Davie 7, SEG 2

The War Eagles did not register a quick knockout like they did in the first meeting, but they still took care of business at Southeast Guilford on Aug. 19.

Christie had two goals as Davie pulled away in the second half after leading 2-1 at intermission. Kellan Wiles, Rayas, Yount, Rappaport and Whitaker had the other goals. Rafael Amaro had two assists, while Rayas and Christie had one.

It did not take Davie long to surpass last year’s win total. Meanwhile, the Falcons’ dry spell continued as they tumbled to 0-4.

Davie 1, Statesville 1

Heikal gave Davie a lead, but Statesville answered and that’s how things ended up at War Eagle Stadium on Aug. 21. The winless Greyhounds (0-3-1) probably felt good about the tie.

“We dominated the possession for the most part,” Fisher said. “We had 14 shots, but we hit the crossbar five or six times. It just wouldn’t go in the back of the net for us.”

Heikal staked Davie to the 1-0 lead with an assist from Yount.

“It was a great play,” Fisher said. “It came right up the middle. Karson played it over the top and Hamza just beat the defender.”

Later in the first half, Statesville would tie it on a header that started with a corner kick. Felipe Flores made sure that was the only time the Greyhounds found offensive success. His defenders did their part, too, as Davie entered the week at 2-1-1.

“Felipe had a fantastic save on a free kick,” Fisher said. “That probably saved us the game.

“The defense played really well. They really didn’t have many shots. Most of their shots came off of free kicks.”