Gray Collegiate boys soccer inches closer to capturing program’s first state title

Posted 5/10/24

The goal from day one for the Gray Collegiate boys soccer team has been to get back to the state title game and overcome the shadow that has lingered over them for years.

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Gray Collegiate boys soccer inches closer to capturing program’s first state title

Posted

The goal from day one for the Gray Collegiate boys soccer team has been to get back to the state title game and overcome the shadow that has lingered over them for years.

The War Eagles are seeking the school’s first state championship win after advancing to their third consecutive title game on May 6 with a win against Greenville Tech. Gray has fallen short of each of the past two seasons, losing to Oceanside last year and Christ Church in 2022.

Gray Collegiate will play in the 2A championship game May 11 with a chance at revenge against Oceanside, who defeated Academic Magnet in the semis.

“Kind of a bit of unfinished business that we get an opportunity to play oceanside,” head coach Kevin Heise said. “Good one through the postseason, now it’s time for a championship game.”

For Heise, this title game will be his sixth appearance. He also has come close numerous times but failed to win the entire tournament between his time at Brookland-Cayce and Gray.

The War Eagles have dominated throughout the postseason behind great defensive play and well-timed offense. The team has not given up a goal through four playoff matches and recently recorded its 21st shutout of the year.

Goalie Joey Sullivan and his backline unit have wrecked other teams’ possessions and prevented clean looks at goal. Meanwhile, on the offensive side, the War Eagles receive contributions from many experienced players, including Carlos Vasquez, Ben Richards and Jay Etheredge.

Three different players scored in the semifinal game. Richards struck first in the 19th minute with a header. Etheredge scored in the 25th minute. Finally, Nathan Hernandez scored the final goal in the 47th minute.

The game between Gray Collegiate and Oceanside will begin 25 minutes after the conclusion of the 2A girls championship award ceremony at Memorial Stadium. While Gray won’t have home-field advantage, the journey for the War Eagles is much shorter than Oceanside’s.

“No matter what happens Saturday, they’ve had a tremendous year,” Heise said. “Tremendous year from our boys. The goal was to get back to the finals.”

Championship schedule

May 10 (at Memorial Stadium, Columbia)

5A  girls — Chapin vs. Clover — 1 p.m.

5A boys — Stratford vs. Fort Mill — 25 minutes after girls

3A girls — Powdersville vs Waccamaw — 5:30 p.m.

3A boys — Daniel vs. Waccamaw — 25 minutes after girls

May 11 (at Memorial Stadium, Columbia)

1A boys — Christ Church vs. St. Joseph's — 10 a.m.

2A girls — Christ Church vs. Oceanside Collegiate — 25 minutes after 1A boys

2A boys — Gray Collegiate vs. Oceanside Collegiate — 25 minutes after girls

4A girls — Riverside vs. James Island — 4:30 p.m.

4A boys — Eastside vs Lucky Beckham — 25 minutes after girls

Gray Collegiate soccer, SCHSL Playoffs, state championship

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