Diaz’s WRH booters a force in 2A

WALLACE – Rodrigo Diaz admits being a bit too much of a know-it-all his first season as coach of the Wallace-Rose Hill soccer program that had won three 1A state championship.

He also recognized resistance from parents following that success, though he had to win in the 2A classification.

Five seasons into the job, Diaz has the program on solid footing.

Not because the Bulldogs (17-5-2) won the ECC title this fall by overcoming three-time champ James Kenan. But because barring a hiccup during the Covid-marred 2020 season (3-8-1 with many one-goal losses), WRH has been consistently competitive.

And there’s no indication that Diaz’s program will not continue to prosper.

The Bulldogs’ current season ended last week with a third-round 1-0 loss to perennial power Jordan-Matthews (16-2-2).

WRH went 20-5 in Diaz’ first season, then 14-5-1 and 14-7-2 in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

And just as importantly, the culture was reset with the Bulldogs.

Diaz started at the bottom and worked upward.

“It’s important to get players eligible and hopefully playing other sports,” he said. “They grow their mindsets and develop by experiencing different aspects of competing.”

Next came hooking players on the game and what it takes to be successful.

“Getting them to take pride in hard work and scheduling great competition outside of our conference, against 3A and 4A teams, is key,” Diaz said. “Our kids have pride in our program and have shown the mental toughness to want it to continue to be one of the best.”

Diaz’s next steps were to fund-raising that fostered new lights, a PA system and camera. Those things enhanced the soccer experience for players, coaches and fans, who swarm to the pitch to support the Bulldogs.

“We had a magical year,” said Diaz, whose club tied JK 6-6 and then stormed to the ECC title with a 3-0 win over the Tigers in the regular season finale.

Diaz added to the WRH soccer family by adding Brianna Casto this season. She coached the junior varsity squad.

“She’s hungry and wants to do well for our student-athletes,” Diaz said. “She deals with a lot of adversity.”

Many of WRH’s losses came from schools with players who play travel soccer at a high level.

WRH does not have that luxury. Nor does it “import” players.

“I like what we have going on here,” said Diaz, whose success and direction has won over the naysayers.

“I’m fortunate the players play hard and listen and believe what I say,” Diaz commented

“After we beat East Duplin, I told them, ‘I’m tired of finishing second (in the ECC)’ and they responded. That’s when they really believed in themselves and our team.

“I knew we belonged. They learned we did.”