All year long, the Chapin girls soccer team’s motto was “unfinished.” Fueled by last year’s championship loss to Clover, the Eagles spent all season chasing one goal: getting back to the title game. 

Chapin achieved that goal and reached the title game, but for the second year in a row, the team came just short of fulfilling its title aspirations. 

The Eagle girls lost the 5A Division II championship 3-2 after a thrilling overtime battle against Eastside. The win marked the third championship in a row for Eastside. 

“ We had a great team. We had a great season, and I just hate it for them,” Chapin coach Chad Bridges said after the match. “I hate it for them that they didn't get to get over the line and finish it. But, it doesn't take away what we accomplished in the great season that we had.” 

Eastside’s Payton Nutzman scored the game-winning goal less than three minutes into the overtime period to put her team ahead. Chapin tried to even the score but failed to get a good shot at the goal. 

It was the third overtime game of these playoffs for Eastside. On the other side, Chapin had yet to play an overtime game in the postseason, winning its first three games by a combined score of 18-0.

“ I thought we had a chance, getting them into overtime. We had a little momentum there, and they kind of answered pretty quick,” Bridges said. “ They were a little battle-tested in that regard. But that didn't mean that we didn't know how to handle that. We just came a little short.” 

Chapin took the game's first lead with a goal in the 24th minute. Mayson Donohue found herself with the ball, open in front of the net. She fired a shot towards the center of the goal, and it flew past the goalie and in. 

It was one of the few clean looks the Eagles had in the first half. Eastside had plenty of opportunities to even the score in the first half, but Chapin goalie Addison Bagnal made four saves. 

Eastside upped its already physical play in the second half. Chapin players were often falling to the ground after contact from an Eastside player. This generated plenty of free-kick opportunities. But others went uncalled, giving Eastside an attacking advantage. 

Eastside scored two goals in six minutes to take the lead in the 14th minute of the second half. Chapin’s defense struggled to contain Eastside’s forward from penetrating the backline and getting looks on net. 

On offense, the Eagles had trouble maintaining possession and getting looks of their own. Despite this, Chapin continued to fight and eventually broke through. 

In the 31st minute, Grace Benson hit a cross over to Kat Haigler. The pass skimmed off the Eastside goalie’s gloves, after she dove for the ball, and found Haigler open right in front of the net for the equalizer. 

Neither team scored for the rest of regulation. 

After Nutzman’s goal in overtime, Chapin tried to find a window to score the game-tying goal, but an opportunity never presented itself. Eastside’s defense continued to hold strong and the offense did an effective job of draining the clock. 

When the final buzzer rang, Eastside’s bench sprinted onto the field in joy, while Chapin’s players dropped to their knees in defeat. 

“ I'm disappointed for our seniors, disappointed for our group of girls,” Bridges said. “ We've been back now twice, and we'll try to see if we can get back again next year.”

The loss marked the end of many key players’ Chapin careers. Players like Benson, Bagnal, Nat Todaro and Sav Brown have been critical to the team’s success the past few years. 

Despite not winning a championship, those players have accomplished a lot during their high school years. Chapin won four straight region titles, finishing with one conference loss each season. The team had one of its best seasons ever this year, finishing 20-3 while allowing just eight goals. 

While the team is set to lose those key pieces, many other talented players should be on the roster next season. Girls like Lila Bowers, Avery Stoner and Donohue will be back, assuring the team will still have plenty of skilled athletes. 

“ We'll regroup, we’ll reorganize. We've got a lot of talented players coming back, and who knows?” Bridges said. “We'll give it a go again.”