Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is quoted as saying, “A true champion will fight through anything.” And BA had to fight. It wasn’t their best game they took to Columbia to play in the SCISA 2/A boys’ soccer championship this past weekend. Far from it. But these true champions have the ability to win on days when nothing seems to go right for them. And this will make Beaufort Academy’s third straight soccer title more satisfying than the first two championships.

It also can make for plenty of anxious moments.

The Eagles faced a 1-0 deficit as Northwood Academy scored first in the opening half and took a slim advantage into the intermission period.

Beaufort Academy managed to get on the scoreboard with five minutes gone off the second half score clock on a deflected goal, which was set up on a kick from Joe Bhoi. Bhoi's kick went off Northwood Academy's Ian Villavicenzio to find its way into the net for the Eagles' first goal.

“It was just a pretty scrappy win,” Eagles coach Bill Dalton said after Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Northwood Academy completed the team’s three-peat championship drive. “It’s not the best game we’ve played this season, by a long shot. I guess in one way that makes it sweeter to win, but it was tough to watch.”

Ross Walker’s goal off a corner kick in the 56th minute completed Beaufort Academy’s comeback from a 1-0 halftime deficit, as the Eagles finally started probing the Northwood third after a largely futile opening half. Whether you call them “scrappy” or just plain “pig-headed determined”, the BA team stuck together and went from down by one to winning by one all in the last few minutes of the game. Congratulations Beaufort Academy. You never gave up. What a great lesson for us all.

Beaufort Academy will take the field in early 2017 looking to claim its fourth consecutive state title. And they have the returning team to maybe just do it. Go Eagles!

<em>Top photo: Beaufort Academy boys' soccer team with their state championship trophy. </em><em>Pictured in the front row from left: Charles Aimar, Ross Walker, Herbert Gray, Mac Griffith and Ryan Muniz. Back row from left: Coach Bill Dalton, John Dastous, Joe Bhoi, Cain Richards, Thomas Roddey, Thomas Holladay, Kevin Williams, Jacob Dalton, William Tumlin, Nathaniel Keenan, Joseph Maraska, Chris Boggs, David Mathai, Asst. Coach Rob Mathai, Davis Raschella and Alec Melville (far right).</em>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Beaufort Academy Boys’ Varsity Soccer 2015-2016</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b>David Mathai, Freshman
</b><b>Joe Bhoi, Sophomore
</b><b>Joe Stowe, Freshman
</b><b>Joseph Maraska, 8th grade
</b><b>Thomas Holladay, 8th grade
</b><b>Cain Richards, Senior
</b><b>Ryan Muniz, Junior
</b><b>Davis Raschella, Freshman
</b><b>Jacob Dalton, Senior
</b><b>Charles Aimar, Senior
</b><b>William Tumlin, 8th grade
</b><b>Herbert Gray, Freshman
</b><b>Macmillan Griffith, Senior
</b><b>Nathaniel Keenan, 8th grade
</b><b>Luke Harper, Junior
</b><b>Dawson Coleman, 8th grade
</b><b>Alec Melville, Senior
</b><b>Ross Walker, Senior
</b><b>Jaxon Spratling, Sophomore
</b><b>Thomas Roddey, Senior
</b><b>Chris Boggs, Junior
</b><b>John Dastous, 8th grade
</b><b>Kevin Williams, Junior

</b><b>Head Coach: Bill Dalton
</b><b>Asst. Coaches: Rob Mathai and </b><b>Michael Morrison
</b><b>Athletic Director: Neal McCarty</b></p>