A Night of Drama at the State Capital
The final of the Class 5A Division II boys soccer championship unfolded under an unusual schedule, with heavy rain pushing the kickoff past midnight and the decisive penalty shootout concluding at 1:39 a.m. Eastside High School and Chapin High School faced off in a contest that would decide more than a trophy — it would cap a historic sweep for Chapin after their girls' team had earlier secured a 4‑0 victory.
Eastside entered the match seeking its seventh state title and its first since the 2022 Class 4A triumph, while Chapin aimed to complete a rare double‑header for the school. The stakes were heightened by a 18‑5 season record for the Chapin boys, a campaign marked only by defeats in penalty kicks.
The opening goal arrived in the 16th minute when Ryder Martin rose to meet an Asher Martin cross, heading the ball past the Chapin keeper. The early lead set a tone of urgency that carried through the first half.
Chapin answered in the 31st minute, earning a penalty that Lucas Rogers converted with composure, leveling the score at 1‑1. The match then entered a prolonged overtime period, stretching the players' endurance before the shootout.
In the shootout, Eastside's goalkeeper Brandon Jaramillo stood tall, making the final two saves that sealed a 3‑2 victory. His performance capped a career‑defining night for the senior net‑minder.
Beyond the final whistle, the game highlighted standout contributions from players such as Sam Szarkawski, Cole Keys, Cooper Hughes, Frazor Kazian, Hunter Kazian, Gabe Sansbury, and the Martin brothers, while coaches Bob Taylor and Sean McNeil watched from the sideline.
The championship also resonated beyond the pitch, underscoring the competitive depth of South Carolina high school soccer and reminding observers of the state's growing soccer culture.