All smiles: Soccer gets NPC win, stays unbeater

Davie’s varsity soccer team improved to 9-0 overall with a 3-2 win over Statesville in the NPC opener on Sept. 15, a result coach Nathan Stephens described as their first league victory in four years. After crushing their first eight opponents 48-5, Davie entered the road match as clear momentum, having been 0-3-9-1 in conference play since 2022. Against a Statesville side that came in 7-1-3, Davie struggled early and had to adjust to the turf. Hector Rodriguez scored a 22-yard goal from the right in the “ice-breaker,” and Rodriguez, Kellan Wiles and Ethan Christie combined with assists from Adren Davis, Rodriguez and Hunter Stephens for a 3-1 lead at halftime. Despite a late push, Davie held on. The junior varsity game ended 2-2, with coach Daniel Gamble saying it should’ve been a win but settled after halftime.