The 2026 South Carolina Class 4A girls soccer championship unfolded at a packed stadium in Columbia, where AC Flora and Bishop England battled to a 1‑1 deadlock before the contest was decided by a nerve‑wracking penalty shootout.
Goalkeeper Kennedy Bagley emerged as the linchpin of the victory, finishing with 15 saves and famously denying Liz Brady’s attempt in the third round of spot‑kicks, a moment that shifted momentum decisively in Flora’s favor.
Rachel Britt stepped up to take the winning penalty, coolly striking the ball into the net to cap a 5‑3 shootout and spark jubilant celebrations among the Flora faithful.
A Penalty Showdown for the Ages
Bagley’s heroics were not a surprise; the senior keeper had already posted 15 saves in the previous year’s 1‑0 triumph and had helped the team concede just two goals during the final 17 matches of the season, finishing the campaign with a stingy 21‑goal defense.
The defensive masterclass was evident early when an offside call erased a Bishop England goal in the first half, while Flora seized a slender lead just before halftime on an indirect kick from Dampier that arrived with two seconds remaining on the clock.
Beyond the final, the team rode a wave of momentum, closing out the season with a 13‑match winning streak that underscored their consistency and depth.
Coach Eric Navarro praised the collective effort, singling out Bagley’s third‑year breakthrough and the emergence of players such as Sophia DeMarco, Mary Elizabeth Riddle, Lauren Holloway and Sammi Lawther, who contributed across midfield and attack.
The victory also extended a personal milestone for Bagley, who now boasts back‑to‑back championships and a reputation as a clutch performer, while teammates like Evan Damper and Lou Bezjak celebrated the historic achievement.