Special to The Island News
The Beaufort Under 10 Girls All-Stars won the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (SCRPA) state soccer championship, beating Clover in a penalty kick shootout in Florence on Sunday, Nov. 23.
The Girls U10 team was one of only two Beaufort teams who reached the state championship tournament, joined by the Boys Under 8 All-Stars. The boys team finished second in their age group.
The Beaufort girls advanced to the state championship tournament by defeating the Bluffton All-Stars, 1-0, at the Burton Wells Community Center on Thursday, Nov. 13. The girls then won three straight games in Florence to claim the championship.
In the opening match Saturday, Nov. 22, Beaufort defeated Carolina Forest, 5-1, with a pair of goals by Landry Pitt and single goals by Parker Blanchette, Kenler Bastian, and Brynlee Boggess. In the semi-final game of the double elimination tournament, Beaufort earned a tough 1-0 victory over Clover on a last minute goal by the speedy forward Pitt.
After Clover defeated Clemson in the loser’s bracket, the Sunday final was a rematch against the Clover All-Stars. After 40 minutes of regulation and 10 minutes of overtime, the match remained a scoreless draw.
The game was decided in a penalty kick shootout, and the Beaufort All-Stars girls won by a 3-1 margin with goals converted by Rosie Perez, Parker Blanchette and Caroline Gilliam. Beaufort goalkeeper Lillian Varonechenard denied four Clover shots, including a diving save to her left to seal the victory.
The Beaufort girls conceded only one goal during all four All-Star matches led by a stout defensive line, including Cora Bennett, Arely Lopez, Captain Mallory Mann, Caroline Gilliam and Gigi Rhame.
The Beaufort Under 10 Girls All-Stars
Roster: Parker Blanchette (Captain), Mallory Mann (Captain), Landry Pitt, Lillian Varonechenard, Cora Bennett, Gigi Rhame, Arely Lopez, Caroline Gilliam, Brynlee Boggess, Stella Bossak, Kenler Bastian, Miabella Burris, Hollis Myatt, Mia Piedra, Ariannah Rose Perez.
Coaches: Randy Mann, Andrew Bossak, Andy Burris, Marci Mann, Anna Bennett.
