The Gold Division final to close out the Capitol City Classic soccer tournament offered a Top 5 Class 5A matchup and an early preview of local region play.

4-5A  rivals No. 2 Chapin and No. 5 River Bluff faced off Feb. 26 at Cecil Woolbright Field, and if the result, a 2-1 win by the Eagles, was any indication, expect another hard-fought season-long battle in that ultracompetitive region.

“We always enjoy the competition against River Bluff and we weren’t disappointment today,” Chapin head coach Bob Taylor said. “Through River Bluff, Blythewood and [T.L.] Hanna, they gave us good competition this week. So we’re really happy with the growth we had this week.”

Freshman Jalen Tucker, the Gold Division Most Valuable Player, provided the only goal of the first half for Chapin. J.J. Burns tied the match with an unassisted goal, only for the Eagles to take the lead with 9:56 left on a penalty kick made by senior Thomas Holstein.

Chapin will open regular season play at home March 1 against Fort Mill.

In other finals, Phillip Simmons shut out White Knoll 3-0 to win the Bronze Division final and Aiken shut out Sumter 2-0 for the Silver Division title.

Over at Lexington High School, the Cats Kick Cancer Classic concluded with three matches not involving the host team.

Cardinal Newman posted a 3-0 win over West Florence which allowed it to finish 4-0 along with Lexington but win the tournament title on points 38-36.

Girls Soccer

Gilbert 1, South Aiken 1 (Gilbert  wins on PK 4-1)

Kinlee Mozley had the lone goal in regulation and she, Lauren Ansell, Olivia Pitillo and Grace McGlocklin all scored penalty goals in overtime to win the Lugoff Classic at Lugoff-Elgin High School.

Clover 4, Lexington 1

The Lady Wildcats finished runner-up at the Spring Valley Viking Cup.