“The thing that has to change is the mentality of the players. Playing every game at their highest level needs to stay consistent,” coach Rick Pittarelli said.

The non-conference schedule pitted the Cougars against some stiff competition. The opening two matches were against HighSchoolOT.com ranked top 25 teams in Eastern NC. The Cougars lost to 15th ranked Cleveland 3 to 0, followed by 11th ranked Enloe 4 to 1.

Other losses to ranked opponents included Leesville 4 to 0, D H Conley 2 to 1, and the 4th ranked Green Hope Falcons 6 to 1. The boys fared better against 5th ranked Holly Springs with a 2 to 2 tie and 20th ranked Apex 1 to 1.“I think the most challenging game so far this year has definitely been against Green Hope. They were a great competitor and a very tough challenge,” senior Luke Heidinger said.

Right now their team is 1834th nationally, 179th in North Carolina, 31st in North Carolina division 4A east, and 49th in Raleigh.

“We haven’t exceeded. Our record doesn’t indicate the talent this team has,” Pittarelli said.

Senior Luke Heidinger knows his coach supports the team.

“I think that coach Pitt gives us the best pep talks before games and gets everyone ready to go out and fight for the win,” Heidinger said. “I think coach Pitt does a great job at motivating us after a tough loss, that we have more games ahead of us and that he will always love us no matter what.”

Their communication is what they feel they have trouble with, and something they need to work on. Heidinger says they have trouble communicating with their goalkeeper and vice versa.

Senior Ethan Standley said, “We have to change how we play and talk to each other on the field.”