HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

The soccer action in Region 5-5A is proving as competitive as baseball.

“Our region is a very competitive 5A region and from the beginning of the year my thoughts were that any team could beat another team on any given night,” River Bluff head coach Phil Savitz said. “That has been the case so far with 3 teams 2-1 and one team 2-2 with over half the region games still to play. Every game is tight and it should go down to wire for the top 3 spots that are guaranteed making the (Class) 5A playoffs.”

This past week in boys’ action saw a pair of outcomes create the virtual 4-way tie for first place. It started March 19 when Dutch Fork, ranked 2nd nationally by USA Today, fall in overtime 2-1 to Lexington.

Sam Pent’s goal off the pass from Ben Mayer with 2 minutes left in the 1st overtime was the difference. This came after Mayer scored with seconds left in the match after the assist from Jaxon Keene to force overtime.

“Our guys showed a lot of heart,” head coach Will Gettys said. “We never gave up and got the tying goal with about 10 seconds left, then pressed on and finished it off in overtime. Our guys showed what’s possible when you play with your heart, a belief in each other and an unrelenting drive to accomplish a common goal.”

This was the first loss of the season for the Silver Foxes, who earlier in the season upended preseason top-ranked Wando in the final of the Capital City Cup.

Three nights later, the Wildcats were on the opposite end of a 2-1 defeat to Chapin.

Josh Lochstampfor connected on a penalty kick for the go-ahead goal with 15 minutes left to lead the Eagles over the Wildcats.

Tyler Martin’s goal gave Chapin a 1-0 halftime lead. At the 63-minute mark, Pent tied the game on an assist by Travis Sewell.

The setback set up a crucial Tuesday matchup in The Swamp between River Bluff and Lexington.

“Every region game is very important and next up for us is a talented Lexington team who just knocked off undefeated and nationally-ranked Dutch Fork,” Savitz said. “Hopefully, we can play well and get a win at home to stay in the region title chase.”

“We are in the toughest region in the state, so there are no easy games,” Gettys said. “The winner will put themselves in good position to compete for the region.”

On the girls’ side, River Bluff found itself in position to create distance in the region. The Lady Gators looked to build a 2-game lead with a victory over defending Region 5-5A champion Lexington.

This past Friday, the Lady Wildcats fell to Chapin. It was scoreless through regulation and overtime before the Lady Eagles won 4-2 on penalty kicks.

The win ended Lexington’s 47-game region winning streak dating back to May 5, 2014.

2019 Crescent Cup

The 5th annual Crescent Cup starts Thursday at Airport High School.

The Lady Eagles and Gilbert among 15 teams competing in the 4-day tournament. All matches will take place on 2 fields at the West Columbia campus.