Pisgah boys' soccer wins first four games

Sep. 3—CANTON — Pisgah soccer has enjoyed success to begin its season, going 4-0 and setting the school record for most goals scored in a match.

Head coach Rodney Alt said the early wins help build confidence in his players.

"I think they have some confidence and I think they definitely have a high standard for themselves for the way they're playing. It's definitely building some confidence and we're doing it together," he said.

After the 4-1 season opening victory over Swain County Aug. 22, the Bears posted victories over Erwin 1-0 on Aug. 29 and Murphy 9-0 on Aug. 30.

All are non-conference games, and Alt said planning the non-conference slate of games was intentionally done.

"I try to balance it with wanting to be successful and build confidence but we also want to test ourselves, too. We had Erwin and we're playing Enka next week. I try to mix some teams in from tougher Asheville conferences to give our guys a test. Our guys want to compete, too, and they look forward to those matches," he said.

So far this season, the team's defense has allowed only one goal and posted two shutouts.

"We have been defending well so far," Alt said. "Our goalkeeping is really good. Dom [Messer] is really strong back there for us. We'll be playing some tough teams coming up and we'll definitely be tested."

Pisgah only has three seniors: Jon Gamez, Julian Gamez and Jesus Gamez. Alt described all three as leaders.

"Even though I only have three seniors, they're strong leaders. They play big roles on the team and that's an advantage," he said.

As for the younger players, which make up the majority of the roster, Alt said getting game experience is key.

"I have a good group of younger players. It is going to be a test playing these mature teams," he said.

So far this season, 10 different players have scored goals, which Alt said is an advantage.

"Your opponents don't know where a goal is going to come from. I think it's good for the players to see that it could be them," he said.

Pisgah shuts out Erwin 1-0

The Bears walked out of Erwin victorious thanks to a 48th-minute goal from junior Carlos Hinojosa (assist by sophomore Chris Perez), who beat a defender down the left-hand flank.

The first half of the match was a defensive battle with each team getting two shots-on-goal.

Sophomore goalkeeper Dominick Messer had six saves in the match.

Pisgah shuts out Murphy 9-0

In what proved to be a signature performance, Pisgah shut out Murphy 9-0 Aug. 30, allowed zero shots-on-goal and set the school record for most goals scored in a match with nine.

Sophomore Andrew Hardin scored two goals, while Perez, Messer, junior Evan Byrd, sophomore Hollis Blanton, Jesus Gamez and Julian Gamez each scored one.

Pisgah shuts out Madison 4-0

In its fourth win in a row, Pisgah shut out Madison 4-0 Sept. 1.

Goals were scored by Jesus Gamez (two), JonGamez (one) and Perez (one).

Freshman goalkeeper Angel Trejo had two saves.

What's next?

Pisgah has a slate of three non-conference games over the next week before it travels to Smoky Mountain Monday, Sept. 12, for its first conference match.

"We expect to keep a lot of the games close," Alt said. "It's going to be a matter of discipline. Some of these games are going to come down to which teams' players can make plays and execute plays."

No games in the Mountain 7 3A Conference are easy wins, Alt said.

"We know in our conference, anybody can beat anybody. We've come up short on some games, but we were in them," he said.

Always circled on the calendar is the Tuscola rivalry game. The first of two matches is Monday, Sept. 26.

"[The players] definitely want to win rivalry week. We haven't traditionally won a lot of games against them. We do our best and want to complete and want this to be our year to break through on them," Alt said.

Pisgah's next game is an away game versus Enka on Tuesday, Sept. 6.