Davenport boys look to settle score vs. Eagles

Davenport (12-3-2) meets Downsville (13-3-1) at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at the Wright National Soccer Campus, and neither team seems to be holding out for a tie.

"These guys don’t settle for anything," said seventh-year Wildcats coach Jennifer Henderson, whose team tied Ro[an error occurred while processing this directive]xbury, 1-1, in last year’s crossover game. "I know (last year’s game is) motivation."

Downsville, which didn’t clinch the Mountain Division until its final game, is making its first appearance in the crossover game.

"My guys are pumped up and ready to win a championship," said Eagles coach Scott Reed, whose team advanced with a 6-3 victory over Gilboa on Oct. 14, coupled with Roxbury’s 1-1 tie against Margaretville.

"They really want it bad," he continued. "Once we found out we were going, you could see everyone’s desire and work ethic go up a few notches."

Downsville, the 10th-ranked Class D team in the state, is the only DL team to beat 15th-ranked Davenport this season.

The Eagles earned a 2-1 victory Sept. 12, but the Wildcats have come a long way since then, going 8-0-1 down the stretch.

"This is the best soccer we’ve played," said Henderson, who coached Davenport to an outright title in 2000. "I think a lot of people underestimated us at the beginning of the year. They’ve exceeded any expectations I had of them."

Davenport graduated its top three scorers from last year — Daily Star First-Team All-Stars Greg Meyer and Charlie Whitmore, along with Daily Star second-teamer Simon Flueckiger. They provided two-thirds of the team’s scoring last year.

"Last year I had the big three, but this year I have the big 20," said Henderson, whose team only has one senior — Dustin Hillis.

Sophomore Brandon Butts leads Davenport with 19 goals and 14 assists for 52 points, which ranks third in the area. Junior Nate Lorber has 10 goals and 12 assists.

"I’m not surprised by what they’re doing," Henderson said. "They were standout players for us last year, but it was hard not to be in the shadows of those big three. It’s their time now."

Defensively, though, is where Henderson said her team has made its biggest strides. Davenport has allowed 16 goals this season, which is tied with Roxbury for the fewest in the league.

The junior trio of sweeper Joseph Ballard, goalie Brandon Cuddy and marking back Dan Toombs lead the way. They all earned DL All-Star honors.

"My defense is our key," Henderson said. "They’re showing people they can dominate. Cuddy is one of the most improved players on the team, and Ballard has been a hidden treasure for us. I can put Toombs anywhere."

Davenport’s defense figures to be tested by a Downsville team that has scored a league-high 61 goals (the Wildcats are second with 58). Senior Dusty Haynes leads the Eagles with 16 goals to go with 11 assists, and classmate Brett Reed has 12 goals and 13 assists.

"They’ve been facing double-teams all year," Scott Reed said. "Teams have been loading up the box against us and looking to counter. But I don’t think Davenport will do that."

Whereas the Wildcats have one senior, Downsville has seven, and they all start. Stalwart midfielders Lucas Shaw and Reed are four-year starters.

"We’ve been working toward this for a long time," Reed said.

The Eagles nearly lost out on a chance to play for the title when they squandered a two-goal lead in the final 20 minutes against Roxbury on Oct. 11, when the Rockets rallied for a 2-2 tie. Reed said avoiding breakdowns has been a focus of practice leading up to Saturday.

"I think it was a great lesson at a great time," he said. "We’ve worked a lot on not rushing and sticking with our game. The Roxbury game is still fresh in their minds, so hopefully we won’t have a repeat of it."

Saturday’s game could also be a preview of the sectional semifinals. Downsville is seeded second and Davenport third, so if they get by their quarterfinal games, they’d meet Nov. 2.

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Jeff Vella can be reached at jvella@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.