And then there were three. 

The field got a lot thinner after an action-packed week of playoff lacrosse around Lexington County. 11 teams entered last week with state title aspirations. Now, only three are left standing, and at least one team is guaranteed to go out in the next round. 

Lexington’s girls, River Bluff’s girls and Chapin’s boys advanced to this week’s round of games after winning last week. 

All three teams will be in action on Tuesday. Lexington and River Bluff faced each other in the 5A Division I Girls Lower State final, while Chapin played Lucy Beckham in the 5A Division II Boys Lower State Final. 

With Lexington and River Bluff playing each other, it is guaranteed at least one Lexington County school will represent the area in this weekend's state championship final, but it also means one is guaranteed to be eliminated. 

The Wildcats will host the Gators for the second meeting between the two this season. Lexington won the first contest on the road 16-5. That win clinched Lexington the region championship for the first time in school history. 

Both teams began postseason play in the second round after earning a first-round bye. River Bluff and Lexington won their opening games 11-8 to advance to the state semifinals. The Gators defeated Carolina Forest at home. Lexington beat Wando 11-8, avenging the team’s 17-11 playoff loss from the previous season.

The semifinal game between the Gators and Wildcats will be historic no matter who wins. Neither team has ever advanced to the state championship game before. 

Chapin is the final boys team remaining in Lexington County. The Eagles advanced to the 5A Division II Lower State final after beating Socastee in their playoff opener 20-2. 

The Eagles dominated their opponent by jumping out to a 15-0 first-half lead. Nine different players scored in the game, including Eddie Wright and Zac Covey, who combined for 11 goals. Lane Reynolds scored three goals, and Ethan Covey had one goal and six assists. Five Chapin players who didn’t score a goal recorded an assist. 

Chapin has had a solid bounce-back this season after starting the year 2-5. The Eagles ended the regular season winning seven of their last nine games to enter the postseason with strong momentum. 

The team will also be looking to make history by winning its first state championship in program history. Chapin will play Lucy Beckham in the state semifinal game, and if they win that, the Eagles will play the winner of the game between Greenville and Nation Ford in the championship match. 

The state championship games will be played this weekend on May 3 at Irmo High School. 

Elsewhere around the county, many teams concluded their season after a loss in either the first or second round. 

Lexington’s boys, River Bluff’s boys and Chapin’s girls won their first-round game before losing in the second. 

The Wildcats beat Carolina Forrest 14-1 before losing to Wando 11-2. 

The Gators beat Dutch Fork 19-5 for their second playoff win in program history and first at home. River Bluff was eliminated in the next round on the road against James Island. 

Chapin’s girls began the season as the defending 5A champions. The team entered the postseason looking to defend its title and got off to a great start after a 24-3 win against White Knoll. The journey came to an end on the road in the second round, following a 10-8 loss against Lucy Beckham. 

Full playoff scoreboard

5A Division I boys

Lexington: 14,  Carolina Forest: 1 - round one

River Bluff: 19, Dutch Fork: 5 - round one

Wando: 11, Lexington: 2 - round two

James Island: 10, River Bluff: 9 - round two

5A Division I girls

Wando: 20, Dutch Fork: 4 - round one 

Lexington: 11, Wando: 8 - round two 

River Bluff: 11, Carolina Forest: 8 - round two 

Lexington vs. River Bluff - semifinal round - April 29

5A Division II boys

Socastee: 16, White Knoll: 13 - round one 

Chapin: 20, Socastee: 2 - round two 

Chapin vs. Lucy Beckham - semifinal round - April 29

5A Division II girls

 Chapin: 24, White Knoll: 3  - round one

Lucy Beckham: 10, Chapin: 8 - round two 

4A boys

Hilton Head forfeit win over Gilbert  - round one 

Last week’s big performances

Eddie Wright scored six times as the Chapin boys team defeated Socastee. 

Mia Phelps scored three goals and two assists in the Chapin girls’ playoff win over White Knoll. 

Larson Blackhurst had three goals against Carolina Forest to help River Bluff move on to the next round.