Southside High School captured its first boys soccer state championship on Saturday, beating Gray Collegiate 3-0 in the Class 4A final held in Columbia, South Carolina. The victory capped an immaculate 18‑1 season that saw the team dominate from the opening whistle to the final buzzer.
The Road to the Title
Erik Martinez was the catalyst in the second half, slipping past defenders to net two quick goals that stretched the lead to 2‑0. His partnership with Adriel Rodriguez paid off when Rodriguez found the net in the 60th minute, sealing a 3‑0 result that left the crowd roaring.
Coach Kevin Heise, whose Gray Collegiate squad entered the match with over 600 career wins, watched his team fall short despite a tactical adjustment at halftime. He later reflected that the first five to seven minutes of the second half proved decisive, a period in which Southside seized control.
A Coach's Frustration
Heise, who has guided Gray Collegiate to numerous conference titles, remains winless in state championship appearances, a statistic that underscores the narrow margins at the elite level. He praised Martinez, calling him the best attacking player he has seen all year, even as his side prepares to move up to Class 5A next season.
The match also featured a dramatic semifinal run for Gray Collegiate, who edged Bishop England in a penalty shootout after a 0‑0 stalemate in regulation and overtime. That resilience set the stage for a championship game that will be remembered for its intensity and the emergence of new star talent.
Southside’s triumph has sparked celebrations across the community, with local businesses and families gathering to honor the team’s achievement. As the players look ahead, they do so with the knowledge that they have written a historic chapter in the school’s athletic legacy.