BE girls' soccer team claims 11th state title, boys fall to Berea
The Bishop England girls’ soccer team concluded one of the most impressive playoffs runs in state history, claiming a 3-0 victory over Indian Land in Saturday’s Class AAA state championship.
The Bishops posted five playoff victories to finish the season with a 16-2-1 record. The Bishops were almost perfect in the playoffs, outscoring foes 24-1, including Saturday’s shutout at Irmo High School.
The victory gave the Bishops 11 state titles. Riverside has the most state titles in girls’ soccer with 13. Both BE and Wando have 11.
The Bishop boys were unable to complete the BE sweep as Berea topped the Bishops 4-3.
In the girls’ Class AAA championship, talented freshman Kayla Vroman scored the only goal of the first half on a hot and humid day in the Midlands to give the Bishops the lead.
Kessy Bradshaw scored early in the second half to make it 2-0 and the Bishops added another goal in the final minutes.
The Bishop boys, meanwhile, couldn’t shut down Berea’s Natividad Perez as he scored all four goals in a 4-3 victory over the Bishops. It marked Berea’s second straight state title.
The Bishops were playing at a disadvantage. Junior James Cox, the team’s leading scorer, missed the game as part of a two-game suspension handed down by the High School League.
Berea finished with a 22-0-1 record and now has a 44-game unbeaten streak.
Bishop England freshman standout Miller Stokes scored three goals to lead the Bishops.
The Bishops saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end and finished with a 22-3 record. Saturday’s match marked the 25th time the Bishops played in the state championship. They have won 17 state titles.
GOLF AND BASEBALL
The Bishop England boys’ golf team competed in Monday’s and Tuesday’s Class AAA meet at Seneca Creek’s Plantation.
The Bishop England baseball team took a big step toward another state championship with a 2-1 victory in Game 1 of the Class AAA State Championship Series at Father Kelly Field.
The Bishops, who are seeking their second straight Class AAA title and ninth since 1997, can wrap up the series with a victory at Seneca on Tuesday. Geoffrey Gilbert will get the start. The left-handed Gilbert, who has committed to Clemson, was the winning pitcher against Seneca in last year’s championship game.
Game 3, if needed, will be played at a neutral site in the Midlands area.
The Hanahan softball team began its quest for a second straight Class AAA state title with a 2-1 home victory Monday night against Palmetto.
Game 2 is set for Wednesday and Game 3, if needed, will be held Friday at a neutral site.
The Hawks advanced to the championship series with a 3-2 victory over Battery Creek on Friday. The Hawks won with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Hawks scored both of their runs in the first inning Monday night to take control against Palmetto. The victory gave the Hawks a 30-3 record.