U10 all-stars win state soccer title

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Commission program captured a pair of state championships in the S.C. Athletic Programs state soccer tournament Dec. 3 at Patriot Park in Sumter.
The Lancaster 9-10 all-stars and the Lancaster County 11-12 all-stars won state crowns, while the 15-under all-stars finished as the state runner-up.
U10 all-stars win
The Lancaster County 9-10 soccer all-stars captured their second straight SCAP 10U state title with a pair of shutout wins at Sumter’s Patriot Park.
The U10 stars captured back-to-back shutout wins, including a title-clinching 6-0 victory over Orangeburg on Dec. 3.
The Lancaster County all-stars advanced to the state championship  match with a tough 2-0 win over Walhalla.
Lancaster rolled to the U10 state crown with a 6-0 win over Orangeburg.
Lancaster County built a 3-0 halftime lead and added three second-half scores to seal the win.
Stiles Joyce scored two goals in the first quarter for a 2-0 Lancaster County lead.
In the second period, Adam Deese tallied to give the LC U10 stars a 3-0 edge.
In the second half, the Lancaster County stars stretched their lead to 4-0 as Neal Solesbee tallied. Mason Green added a pair of goals in the final period to seal the win.
Ayden Saldana provided an assist on one of Solesbee’s goals.
The duo of Tyler Williams and Jacob Wiltsie combined at the net for the shutout.
Coach Andre Merritt, assisted by Kevin Bowers, Steve Cauthen and Rick Plyler, saluted a host of players for their stellar play in the championship round.
Merritt lauded Joey Walters, Jacob Cato, Austin Ross, Cadi Mangano, Andre Merritt Jr., Nolan Plyler, Mason McKitrick and Colby Cauthen.
The Lancaster County U10 all-stars opened play with a 2-0 win over Walhalla.
Rhett Bowers and Cam Hunter each scored a goal in the Lancaster County win.
“I was impressed with our defense,” Merritt said. “Walhalla attacked, but we held strong and stood tall. Walhalla was really a tough team and Orangeburg impressed me with its speed.”
Merritt added he was proud of his team.
“We worked hard and came to fight,” he said. “We didn’t allow a goal in the playoffs, so that was an outstanding effort. We were great in defending our titles.”
The Lancaster County U-10 stars earned the bid to the state tournament, defeating Fort Mill 7-0 for the Central District title in Lancaster on Nov. 19.
U15 stars state runner-up
The Lancaster County U15 all-stars finished as the state runner-up in the SCAP state tournament at Sumter’s Patriot Park on Dec. 3.
Lancaster County topped Marion, 3-2, in the state semifinals before falling to Walhalla, 3-0, in the title match.
In the win over Marion, Peyton Patterson posted two goals for Lancaster County.
Lancaster County coach Todd Williams saluted the play of keeper Ryan Burgess.
“In the first match with Marion we played real well,” Williams said. “In the second match, we were taken by surprise, but played well in the second half. It was a physical match.” 
 

photo supplied

The Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Commission 10-under soccer all-stars captured the state championship on Dec. 3 in Sumter. Team members are, from left, front row: Nolan Plyler, Joey Walters, Aydan Saldana, Mason Green, Rhett Bowers, Mason McKitrick, Stiles Joyce, Colby Falkenberry and Austin Ross; second row: coach Kevin Bowers, head coach André Merritt Sr., Jacob Cato, Cadi Mangano, André Merritt Jr., Adam Deese, Tyler Williams, Colby Cauthen, Jacob Wiltsie, Neal Solesbee, coach Steve Cauthen and coach Rick Plyler. Not pictured is team member Cam Hunter.