First goal: An undefeated season. Second goal: Take each game one game at a time. Third goal: Finish hard and make it to the state championship.

The varsity men’s soccer team has achieved their first goal with a regular season record of 23-0. Of the 23 games they played this season, the team won by mercy rule seven times. (The mercy rule is enforced once a team is up by nine points.) The men were the conference season champions and the only 2A school in North Carolina to have an undefeated regular season. The team defeated Carrboro in the semi-final round 3-1 to advance to the state championship, where it will face Salisbury. (Click HERE for the live feed of the game being presented by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.)

Coach Juan Ramirez had more expectations for the team in addition to a perfect season.

“Every day I wanted them to improve, which they have done,” Ramirez said. “They are continuing to become team players and always willing to help their teammates out.”

The expectations of individual players were also reached. Senior Drew Scott says this season was more than he could have anticipated.

“Only giving up seven goals all regular season, and only one at home, I would definitely say that this season has been a success,” Scott said. “It has fully surpassed my expectations.”

Even students who aren’t on the team had high expectations for the season and the players on the team. Senior Hayden Dougherty played on the team for three years but was injured playing baseball last spring, sidelining him for soccer.

“After playing soccer for the better half of my life, you can imagine that it was heartbreaking,” Dougherty said. “Especially since I knew going into the season this group I had played with since the beginning was bound to be the best.”

Although it would be an honor to win the state championship, senior Joey Staten believes that, win or lose, the team will still go down in history.

“I feel like we have one of, if not the, best teams in Nighthawk history,” Staten said. “No matter what outcome we have in states, I am happy with how this year turned out; however, a state championship would be legendary.”

Saturday’s championship game will be played on Dail Field at N.C. State University in Raleigh. Game time is 5 p.m.

Even players who have another shot to win the state championship in the coming years believe that their time is now.

“To win would mean that all we have tried for and pushed for would finally come true,” junior Colin Kelly said. “We would finally have the state championship rings on our fingers.”

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