Silver Lining: Soccer shows best defense in 13 years
Published 9:45 am Thursday, April 14, 2022
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By Brian Pitts
Enterprise Record
Although the Davie soccer team’s losing streak grew last week, there is a smiley face you can hang on the gritty War Eagles. They are not getting bullied in the Central Piedmont Conference because they play the best defense we’ve seen in 13 years.
Through 12 games, not once have they allowed more than four goals, and they’ve only permitted four twice. The last time a Davie squad went this long without giving up four in a game was Pete Gustafson’s 2009 team that went 16 straight games with four or less allowed. That team gave up 20 goals through the first 12 games; the War Eagles of Corbin Kopetzky have surrendered just 19, or 1.5 per game.
A lack of scoring has sent Davie (3-7-2 overall) into a six-game tailspin. Valiant efforts fell short when Davie lost 4-0 to visiting West Forsyth on April 4 and 3-0 at Reagan on April 7.
“We were down a starter (defender Emily Garner against Reagan),” Kopetzky said. “We came out a little rocky (and trailed 2-0 at halftime), but we picked it up from there. We moved the ball fairly well. We had some looks; they just didn’t fall for us.”
And then: “They are working hard. They are improving. We’re staying in tight games and trying to make stuff happen.”
Kopetzky beamed with pride at his three freshmen – Sarah Andrade, Cat Rosser and Jaden Sink.
“I shuffled everybody around a little bit between the midfield and defense (with Garner out),” he said. “I threw Sarah in up top. She’s been very impressive this season. She did exactly what I needed out of her. She played a really good game and had a shot that I thought was going to fall for her.
“I subbed Cat in a lot. Just like Sarah, she has stepped it up. I tell her what I need and she’s exactly where she needs to be at every moment. When Sarah, Cat and Jaden step on the field, it’s hard to tell they’re freshmen. So I’m excited to see what they’re going to look like as juniors and seniors.”
Notes: West has outscored opponents 26-2 during a five-game winning streak. … The West game was 0-0 at the half. … The CPC standings: East Forsyth/West Forsyth 5-0, Reynolds 3-2, Mt. Tabor/Reagan 3-3, Glenn 0-5, Davie 0-6. … Davie’s JV lost 2-0 to West.