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No. 10 Warhorses upend No. 7 Robinson, 4-2, to advance to third round of NCHSAA State Playoffs

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 4, 2022

Owen sophomore Davis Kendall scored 4 goals, Nov. 3, against Robinson, as the Warhorses advanced to the third round of the NCHSA 2A State Soccer Playoffs. Photo by Fred McCormick

The soccer season will continue for Owen, as the No. 10 seed Warhorses (18-2-1) left Concord, Nov. 3, with a 4-2 victory over the No. 7 Robinson Bulldogs (20-3-1) in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs.

The win was the 13th straight for Owen, which will host No. 15 Patton ( 18-4-1), at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 7. The match will mark the Warhorses’ first appearance in the third round of the postseason since 2017.

The Warhorses never trailed against the Bulldogs, as striker Davis Kendall scored a pair of his 4 goals in the contest during the first half of play. The sophomore, who leads Owen with 42 goals this season, has recorded 3 or more goals in his team’s last three matches.

Junior midfielder Elijah Caro assisted Kendall on 2 goals, while junior forward Daniel Garcia and senior midfielder Nathan Schlect each registered an assist against Robinson.

“We wanted to continue doing the things we do,” Warhorse head coach Trei Morrison said of his team’s approach heading into the postseason contest. “We don’t change our game based on our opponents, we expect them to change to face us.”

Adjusting to the scoring threat of Kendall, the Robinson defense allowed room for the Owen midfield to maneuver the ball into position, according to the coach.

“We like to keep the ball, and play of the back,” he said. “Our players work on staying patient, and I think Robinson was expecting us to play the long game with Davis, which left Harrison (Kendall), Abraham (McTeague-Popishil) and Daniel opportunities to keep the ball moving.”

The Warhorses found their rhythm around the halfway point in the first half.

“We were able to exploit that space, and our attacking players, Davis, Elijah and Nino (Luther) made plays,” Morrison said. “Davis was able to find room and they fed him the ball.”

Owen’s victory over the Bulldogs gives the team, which opened postseason play at Warhorse Stadium with a 4-1 win over West Stanly, another opportunity to play in front of the home fans.

“I really wanted that for the boys, especially since I feel like their performance this season really warranted us playing a couple home games in the playoffs,” the coach said. “We didn’t get the seed we wanted, but they upset a team in the second round and we’re excited to for a playoff atmosphere at home.”

The Warhorses will host Patton, which is entering the contest following a second round victory over No. 2 seed Wheatmore.

“We’re going to just play our game, which is what these players have focused on all year,” Morrison said. “Once again, we want to try to make them adjust to us.”