Go watch these Warhorses!
Fred McCormick
Columnist
The Valley Echo
November 11, 2022
The Owen Warhores, who improved to 20-2-1 with a 2-1 victory over North Forsyth in the state playoffs, will host a semifinal match for the first time in the program’s history, Nov. 15. Photo by Fred McCormick
I have a confession to make, and it’s a little embarrassing. I don’t really know much about soccer.
It wasn’t one of the many sports I played recreationally or with the other kids in my neighborhood growing up, but I did go to one Tampa Bay Rowdies game at the old Tampa Stadium. The song, as I remember it, declared the Rowdies are a “kick in the grass.” I loved that little ditty.
Luckily, I’ve always had super knowledgeable coaches at Owen who have taken the time to help me understand what I’ve been watching over the past nine years. I’m fortunate to have learned so much more about the game in that time, and while I’m still not an expert, I can assure you that the 2022 Warhorses, who will host Lincoln Charter in the semifinal round of the NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 15, are certainly a team you have to watch.
This season has been nothing short of magical for this team and first-year head coach Trei Morrison, who succeeded the winningest coach in the program’s history—David Fiest—three games into the season. Fiest, who stepped down from the position when he moved out of the area, knew this team would be special, and Morrison, the former Mars Hill University soccer coach and longtime director of the Highland Football Club, wasted no time tapping into the incredible talent on his roster.
The Warhorses started the season with a 1-1-1 record, and have gone 19-1 since Aug. 24. Their most recent victory, a 2-1 contest over North Forsyth on Nov. 10, was their 15th straight, and earned them the opportunity to host an NCHSAA 2A semifinal match for the first time in school history.
Even as a soccer novice, it’s not hard to see what makes this particular group of players so much fun to watch. There’s the obvious fact that they win a lot of games, often score a lot of goals and have continued to perform at a high level in the win-or-go-home postseason atmosphere, but it’s how they do it that has been so impressive to me.
Striker Davis Kendall, who leads the team with 45 goals in 23 games this season, is only a sophomore, but is already a bona fide star on the field. When he touches the ball in the attacking third it triggers an immediate buzz among Owen fans.
Kendall, whose brother Harrison—another key player on the roster—is a senior and starting midfielder, has scored 3 or more goals in eight contests this season. As someone who has covered and taken pictures of several Warhorse games this year, I can say watching the Kendall brothers alone is worth the price of admission, which will be $8 at the gate in Warhorse Stadium.
But, they’re far from the only stars.
Senior Nino Luther had been a smooth operator on the field for the Warhorses for years coming into 2022, and each season he adapts his game to fit those around him. His 7 goals, 16 points and 2 assists this season do little to reflect his presence on the field.
Owen senior Nino Luther possesses a combination of speed and quickness that has opened up attacking opportunities for the Warhorses all season. Photo by Fred McCormick
Luther’s speed and quickness blend seamlessly when he controls the ball, forcing defenders to make difficult choices. He can easily run by an opponent playing him too close, but giving him room to work often allows him to break down defenses and expose passing lanes.
Another multi-faceted offensive threat for Owen is junior midfielder Elijah Caro, who leads the team with 15 assists and is second with 20 goals. He possesses the ability to switch from facilitator to attacker in an instant.
Junior Elijah Caro, who leads the Warhorses with 15 assists this season, keeps opposing defenses guessing with his ability to facilitate the offense and attack the net. Photo by Fred McCormick
Similarly, junior forward Daniel Garcia represents another jack-of-all-trades in the Owen arsenal. His 12 assists are second on the team, while his 8 goals are third. Much like Luther, Caro and Davis Kendall, Garcia will attack the net aggressively when the opportunity presents itself.
While the chemistry between these players has been key to the offensive success of the Warhorses, as they’ve outscored their opponents by a combined 112-13 this season, getting the ball to them often starts in the back third.
Owen has been successful working from the back and building possessions with short, smart passes and regular communication. Senior captain Liam Gildner, a defensive midfielder, senior fullback Cole Roy and junior sweeper Abraham McTeague-Popishil are all among the team’s leaders in minutes played this season. Their complementing skill sets mirror those of their offensive counterparts.
Owen’s strong defense has done a remarkable job keeping pressure off of senior goalkeeper Nolan Swoap, who has recorded 12 shutouts in 2022. Swoap’s calm demeanor has allowed him to make sound decisions when tested, as he’s stopped 49 of 61 shots on goal.
It would, of course, be impossible to name each player and describe their personalities, individually and collectively, but it’s a tight group that has a lot of fun playing the game they love.
Their celebrations are a must-see, their enthusiasm is usually unmatched and their desire to win for each other is almost palpable.
Sophomore Davis Kendall, who leads the Warhorses with 45 goals in 23 games, has had plenty of reason to celebrate this season, as Owen has advanced to the semifinal round of the NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs. Photo by Fred McCormick
At this point you may be thinking, “those are pretty astute observations from a soccer novice,” and you might be right. But, I’ve learned quite a bit watching this team, and wanted to make the case for why the entire Swannanoa Valley should show up to support them on Tuesday night.
This game is a big deal.
The current campaign already marks the longest playoff run in the history of a program that had remarkable success under Fiest, and upsets by No. 10 seeded Owen and No. 17 Lincoln Charter made a home semifinal match possible.
These two teams represent the best team of the NCHSAA 2A West Region, and the winner will compete for a state championship in MacPherson Stadium in Browns Summit later this month.
The Owen soccer team celebrates a home victory in the third round of the playoffs against Patton. The Warhorses will host Lincoln Charter in the semifinal round, Nov. 15. Photo by Fred McCormick
Owen already collected one state championship this fall on the cross country course, and adding another to the banners hanging in the gym rafters has been a singular mission for the Warhorse soccer program this season.
So, cancel your Tuesday night plans, throw on something maroon and pack Warhorse Stadium while these local student-athletes work to keep making history at the Valley’s school.
I promise you don’t have to know anything about soccer to know you’ll be part of something special.