For the fifth time in eight years, Hilton Head High’s girls’ soccer team can claim the title of state champion.
The Seahawks ended a three-year drought following a run of four straight state titles when they defeated Eastside 2-1 on Friday at Irmo High School, claiming their first Class 4A crown.
Abbie Lainhart scored the game-winner in the 27th minute, and the Seahawks’ defense dominated the second half to give Hilton Head High the sixth state title in program history – all since 2008. The first five titles all came in Class 3A.
Eastside scored first on Monique Jende’s free kick in the 11th minute, but Hilton Head’s Carson Schoeppe converted a penalty kick just three minutes later to tie it and Lainhart scored what proved to be the final goal of the night with 13 minutes left in the half.