When Decatur High School alumnus Dom Dismuke took over the Gators boys soccer program, he knew he had his work cut out for him. The former Sounders Academy player took over a program that has won just seven games over the past two seasons — and hasn’t won a state tournament game since 2006.

“I know these guys had a tough season last season. The one thing I stressed when we started was the past is the past. Now is the start of a new chapter. It’s even sweeter for me since I am back home,” Dismuke said.

Dismuke got his first win as manager of Decatur in his first showing against rival Thomas Jefferson High School, 2-0, on March 14.

“It’s a good start to the season, good confidence builder. It was nice to get a win, especially against TJ,” senior forward Dylan Lang said.

Last season, Decatur lost seven games by a single goal as their record stood at 2-10-1, the lowest win total since 2016.

Dismuke switched the tone of the Gators’ soccer team, a team that felt lost and needing direction. They found a leader with a deep soccer background and ties to the school itself.

“This year some players already knew (Dismuke) and it’s brought the team together. We have really good chemistry,” said Lang.

His coaching philosophy comes from his playing days as a young soccer player.

“The biggest thing is never being out-worked,” Dismuke said.

That was a mantra he took from his former coach, Ralph Black.

“I told him (Black) I appreciate everything he showed us. He instilled that belief in us and that’s what I want to do for them,” Dismuke said.

In the 20th minute agianst Thomas Jefferson, Decatur got its first goal of the season from seemingly an unlikely source. Decatur senior Dylan Lang scored just two goals last season and was fighting or an opportunity to play, and in his first action in his senior campaign, he scored the opening goal of the season.

“It felt great. The last few years I haven’t been playing enough. Last year I played 20 minutes a game. This past year I have been working hard. Coach (Dismuke) has seen it. I’m glad I got to put it to work today and show him I can do it,” Lang said.

Lang found some space in behind the Raider backline on a pass from Angel Blanco, the Gators’ captain and senior midfielder. Blanco had a lot of shining moments in a dull season for Decatur last year, but now is looking to take a step forward alongside Jose Bonilla Ruiz.

The midfield combination of Ruiz and Blanco is game changing — the two have great vision and technical skill individually. It was Dismuke’s first time seeing them in a game environment and he couldn’t have been more impressed.

“It was the first game we have seen them together, that midfield in general. I was impressed honestly, wholeheartedly impressed by the work they had, especially off the ball… If they can continue to do that all season long, we are going to be successful,” Dismuke said.

Thirteen minutes after the first goal, Decatur struck again. After a corner kick, the Thomas Jefferson clearance got only as far as Reece Howitt. The junior defender sent his right foot through the ball and ripped the back of the net.

The two sides headed to the locker room with the Gators leading 2-0, and the score would remain that way in the second half despite some strong efforts from both sides.

Wesley Suazo showed flashes of what he can bring off the bench for Decatur — he hit the cross bar and was inches away from a third Decatur goal. After chances just missed or passes that have a bit too much pace, there is a lot of positive talk coming from Dismuke and his players, which has been an emphasis at the start of the season.

“Not all my coaches were positive. I know for me that was something that I struggled with. I was that player that needed belief instilled in me. My goal with these kids is instilling that belief in them and let them know they can do anything,” Dismuke said.

The best Raider chance came late in the second half on a free kick from 20 yards out, taken by Ayden Nair.

Nair decided to take a shot attempt that went wide of the goal. Outside of the free kick, the Decatur backline led by sophomore Shukri Shukurov and Jonathan Gonzalez Hernandez held down their end of the pitch.

“They held it down for us. They all worked very, very hard tonight. They were the reason we were able to be successful tonight,” Dismuke said.

Decatur takes on Kent-Meridian at home on March 17 and follows that up with a road trip out to Enumclaw on March 19.

Wesley Suazo controls the ball at his feet. Ben Ray / The Mirror