The Raptors boys soccer team capped off a 19-4-2 by winning the State Championship last Saturday at River Bluff High School in Lexington. The Raptors defeated Indian Land 1-0 on a goal from Colton Frankel (assist to Aaron Thornton) in the 22nd minute. This is the Raptor boys second title in three years.
The game was a hard fought, close game that was truly not over until the final whistle. With 45 seconds left, Indian Land sent a shot into the upper corner forcing a fantastic save from senior GKer and Furman bound Brady Allardice. Indian Land sent all players forward on the ensuing corner kick. A combination of senior Alex Lanning, junior Colton Frankel and several other Raptors helped get the ball safely away from the goal and the celebration began!
Coach Jason Hamil (184-48-5 in 11 years at AMHS) knew it was tough but had confidence-- "Yes Indian Land played hard, but we have rehearsed this game five or six times this season by having early Saturday kickoffs against great opponents such as St. Joe's, Myrtle Beach, Brookland-Cayce and River Bluff. Our players were prepared and they played that way for much of the game." The 19-4-2 record comes against a schedule where Raptor opponents compilled a 68% winning percentage. The Raptors produced wins over teams such as River Bluff (22-4), Porter Gaud (18-4-1) and Indian Land (20-6). They also prodcued a split with Myrtle Beach (19-4-1) and managed a tie and a loss to Wando (29-1-1). Their only losses were to Wando, Myrtle Beach, Brookland Cayce (24-4-1, 3A finalists) and JL Mann (27-2, 4A finalist). "This is the level of opponent that a player can expect to play against when they come to Academic Magnet", said Hamil.
Hamil credits strong player leadership with the success-- "The verteran players took command of the team about midway through the season and realized that this was their team and this team's chance to leave their mark on the program. It was also special to win both boys and girls. That says a lot about the strength of the program as a whole!"
The post season awards have begun to be announced and they are Raptor-heavy.
- Junior Colton Frankel was named the High School Sports Report 2A Player of the Year given to the best player in that classification.
- Senior Brady Allardice was named HIgh School Sports Report Mr. Soccer. This award is given to the best player in the state regardless of school size, position of year in school.
- Colton, Brady and Senior Alex Lanning were named to the High School Sports Report All State Team. This is the 25 best players in the state regardless of school size, position or year in school.
- Jason Hamil was named as the High School Sports Report 2A Coach of the Year.
- Brady, Colton, Alex and Senior Ray Nugent were named to the S.C. Soccer Coaches Association 2A All State Team. These are the best 18 players in 2A regardless of position or year in school. This is Brady's 4th and Colton's 2nd time being named to this list.
- Bardy will represent South Carolina in the Clash of the Carolinas All Star game on July 12 at Blackbaud Stadium. This game is the best 18 seniors from SC versus the best 18 seniors from NC.
- Alex will represent the South in the North/South All Star game at Blackbaud on June 28. This game is the best 18 seniors from the Lowstate versus the 18 best seniors from the Upstate.
