It was an action-packed spring break for the Gray Collegiate boys and girls soccer teams as they took time off their region season to compete in the Nike Palmetto Cup at Saluda Shoals Park. 

Both teams had successful outings, going undefeated in their three outings apiece. The Gray girls finished first out of all the girls teams, while the boys finished second after tying Blythewood and having fewer points. 

The girls got wins over Eastside, Atlantic Collegiate and Hammond. The War Eagles outscored their competition 6-0 in those games. 

Gray got its tournament started with a 1-0 win over Eastside. The pair played a scoreless first half before Gray finally broke through and scored the game’s only point in the second. 

The War Eagles put Eastside’s goalie to work, getting off 11 shots on goal. While she stopped 10 of them, it was the one that made it through that made the difference. 

Victoria Coleman hit the game-winning goal off an assist from Caroline Carston. 

Gray goalie Ruth Ann McCarty saved all three shots she faced. 

The team got to rest for its second game after Atlantic Collegiate forfeited its match. 

With Hammond’s loss to Ashley Ridge in the second game, all Gray had to do to win the tournament was win or not lose by enough points to be overtaken in a tiebreaker. 

The War Eagles would not entertain any of the tiebreaker scenarios, dominating Hammond 4-0. 

Gray poured in goals early, scoring three in the first half. The team put a final exclamation mark on the game in the second half, scoring one goal and controlling the possessions until time ran out. 

With the win, Gray clinched the girls division championship for the first time at the Palmetto Cup. The team finished runner-up to Hammond in 2025. 

The boys came close to winning their division as well, but just missed out due to tiebreaker rules. 

Gray got things going with a shutout win over Atlantic Collegiate, beating the Armada 4-0. 

Four different War Eagles scored in that game. Jacob Gardner, Jason Gonzalez-Hernandez, Jordy Aguilera-Martinez and Fabio Garcia Torres all found the back of the net. 

The War Eagles kept the pressure going all game, getting off 23 shots, 17 of which were on goal. 

Gray hit a wall in their game against Blythewood. The Bengals got the first goal and took a 1-0 lead in halftime. 

The War Eagles held Blythewood scoreless the rest of the way and found the net once themselves to keep the game going. Gonzalez-Hernandez hit the goal, while goalie Charlie Petroff got some key saves. 

With a tie, each team went into the final day of competition with a real shot to win the tournament. Whoever won their final game by the most goals would win it all. 

Gray put together a great effort, beating Hammond 3-1. Gonzalez-Hernandez continued his stellar play, scoring a goal and adding an assist. He scored in all three of Gray’s Palmetto Cup games. 

Andres Campo and Gavin Greer also scored goals against Hammond. 

However, over on the other field, Blythewood and Atlantic Collegiate were playing, and the Bengals easily took care of business. Blythewood won the game 5-0, giving the team a two-goal advantage over Gray for the competition and the boys division title. 

While the boys fell just short of winning the division, the two Gray teams finished the competition (5-0-1) and outscored their opponents 14-2. 

With the tournament behind them, Gray will prepare to resume its regularly scheduled region games. Both teams are in the home stretch and began the week sitting on top of the standings. 

The soccer season has just two weeks left until the playoffs begin. 

Full Nike Palmetto Cup schedule

Monday

(Boys) Gray Collegiate: 4, Atlantic Collegiate: 0

(Boys) Blythewood: 4, Hammond: 1

(Girls) Gray Collegiate: 1, Eastside: 0

(Girls) Hammond:2, Atlantic Collegiate: 1

Tuesday

(Boys) Gray Collegiate: 1, Blythewood: 1

(Boys) Hammond: 4, Atlantic Collegiate: 2

(Girls) Gray Collegiate: 1, Atlantic Collegiate: 0 (Forfeit) 

(Girls) Ashley Ridge: 3, Hammond: 2

Wednesday

(Boys) Gray Collegiate: 3, Hammond: 1

(Boys) Blythewood: 5, Atlantic Collegiate: 0

(Girls) Gray Collegiate: 4, Hammond: 0 

(Girls) Wilson: 1, Atlantic Collegiate: 0 (Forfeit)