Updated 11-12-14: First Flight defeated Carrboro High yesterday 4-0, in a rematch of the east finals a year ago. First Flight utilized the same game plan they used against Washington: a productive offense, coupled with an energizing crowd and smothering defense. First Flights next game is the state final against fellow one-seed Newton-Conover. Game time is 8:05 p.m this Saturday at NC State’s Dale Soccer Field.

Updated 11-08-14:  First Flight defeated Washington 3-1 in the fourth round of the state playoffs.

Updated 11-05-14: First Flight defeated East Duplin 2-1 in the third round of the state playoffs.

Updated 11-03-14: First Flight defeated Dixon High 4-1 in the second round of the state playoffs.

Updated 10-29-14: First Flight defeated Roanoke Rapids 4-0 in the first round of the state playoffs.

Undefeated. Nineteen wins. A conference sweep. A second shot at a state title.

The varsity men’s soccer team has achieved all of its goals this year except one: a coveted state title. Tonight, the team officially begins its pursuit of its final preseason goal.

“The most important thing we can do is to focus on one game at a time and not get ahead of ourselves and think we already have the win in the bag,” junior Isaac Eckard said. “It’s not going to be easy but we need to stay humble and focus on our ultimate goal.”

From being ranked number one in the nation by MaxPreps.com to defeating some of Virginia’s best private schools as well as tying and beating 4A J.H. Rose, the regular season has gone pretty much according to plan.

“I am very proud of our team accomplishments, especially our undefeated regular season which gives us home field advantage throughout the playoffs,” midfielder Tommy Scott said.

To win it all requires a team effort as the Nighthawks learned last year in the state championship game against Salisbury. Despite being undefeated, First Flight lost 2-1 to a very physical team that included 10 seniors.

The 2014 Nighthawks include 14 returning varsity players in addition to eight new players that have extensive travel team experience and/or played on JV last year.

“The team is made up of mostly veterans so that will make it a lot easier for newcomers to fit into our style of play,” senior Jay Cueva said.

The team also includes six players who are among the state’s top 10 statistical leaders.

Junior Graham Smalley and senior Ricky Sanchez are both ranked in the top 10 in the state for goals scored with 37 and 29 respectively.

Smalley and teammate Isaac Eckard, a junior, also lead the state in assists with 22 each this season.

Sophomore goalie Greyson Shier is ranked first in the state for goals against average with a 0.3, while junior goalie Valente Garcia is ranked third place with a 0.6.

Only Dixon High has two players in the top 10 in these categories.

The playoffs begin at 6 tonight when the Nighthawks host Roanoke Rapids. The Yellow Jackets have a record of 7-11-1 and are 5-9 in conference play.

NighthawkNews.org will be reporting updates of the team throughout the playoffs.