By Thomas Grant Jr.
The Nike Palmetto Cup proved productive for both host teams at Saluda Shoals Park in Irmo.
The Gray Collegiate girls’ soccer team won its division with a 3-0 record. The Lady War Eagles posted wins over Eastside (1-0) and defending champion Hammond School (4-0) and won via forfeit over Atlantic Collegiate Academy.
The Gray Collegiate boys’ team looked to dethrone Blythewood for the title. Because the two teams played each other to a 1-1 tie and each finished with the same overall record, it came down to points margin.
With a 10-2 margin compared to 8-2 for Gray Collegiate, the Bengals came away with a second straight title. Afterwards, Gray Collegiate Academy head coach Kevin Heise was still pleased with his short-handed team’s effort.
“Blythewood matters to us,” he said. “It’s a future region opponent as they move to (Class) 5A. We know that (Head coach Robbie) Seltzer is going to have them ready to play and they’re going to be gung-ho and ready to battle and that’s what we got today for 80 minutes.
“While we didn’t win, we got the draw, we either win or you learn and we learned a lot today. We learned that we’re a gritty ballclub and we just keep showing that trait over and over and that’s something that we can control. We can control how hard we can work. We can control how much it means to us. We can control our effort and our energy and if the soccer is there, we’ll win. And if not, let’s get it as far as we can and make the other group realize they’ve got to play for 80 minutes.”
Both Gray Collegiate Academy teams now focus on finishing out region play. The boys also have squeezed in this weekend a Friday rematch with Bishop England, who defeated them in last year’s Lower state final, and a Saturday matchup with last year’s Class 5A Division I finalist Ashley Ridge.
The War Eagles have a 1-game lead over North Augusta for first place. The Yellow Jackets handed GCA its lone region loss on May 3.
The Lady War Eagles were in second place entering Tuesday’s matchup with South Aiken. Gray Collegiate Academy lost the first meeting 1-0 on March 3 with three games left.
All photos by Thomas Grant Jr.
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