The Raptor Boys’ Soccer Team also won the championship on Saturday, defeating Indian Land 4-1! This is their third championship in four years, winning in 2012, 2014, and 2015. Each of their previous championship wins also came over Indian Land.

The first half of the game was close competition. Both AMHS and Indian Land had few scoring chances with most of the half being played at midfield. The Raptors struck first with a score in the 34^th minute off a header from Reece Moore. However, the celebration did not last long because a minute later, Indian Land scored the tying point with a shot from Jordan Szustwal. When the whistle blew to signal halftime, the score remained 1-1 as both teams hoped to score more in the second half.

It was the Raptors who came out strong after halftime, scoring in the 45^th minute with a header from Nick Nybo. The crowd went wild, excited that their team was on the way to repeating as champions. Reece Moore scored his second goal of the game in the 60^th minute with a perfect shot off an assist from Zach Reineke. This goal gave the Raptors a comfortable lead and increased their hopes of a championship. Reece Moore scored again in the 70^th minute to complete a hat trick (scoring three goals in a game) and improve the score to 4-1.

The Raptors held onto the lead and when the final whistle sounded, cheers from the crowd combined with shouts from the players as the team was handed their medals and another state championship trophy. Although many strong seniors will be leaving the team this year, the soccer team will have standouts such as Dylan Robinson and Aaron Thorton to lead them to the state championship again next year.

Congratulations to the boys’ soccer team for another championship!