Rabun Gap (GA) wins fourth straight NC private school state soccer championship

The Rabun Gap Eagles secured their fourth consecutive NCISAA boys’ soccer state championship on Saturday, defeating the Covenant Day Lions by a score of 1-0.

Rabun Gap is from Rabun Gap, Georgia, about a 3-1/2 hour drive from Charlotte. The Eagles have been a member of the N.C. Independent School Athletic Association for many years.

“Hats off to Covenant Day,” Rabun Gap head coach Bart Sasnett said following the win. “They did everything they needed to in order to prevent us from scoring, and they did a fantastic job with their own build-ups. You know this is what state championships are all about, two teams well matched going at it, but in the end we were just a little better.”

The game started out as a defensive battle, as both sides were unable to gain much momentum offensively. There were several solid shots on goal by both teams, but nothing was able to find the back of the net.

As the first half drew to a close, Covenant Day did have an opportunity to strike first with a free kick, but the kick sailed to the right and the teams went into halftime scoreless.

That defensive stalemate continued in the second half, until Covenant Day began to look noticeably fatigued along its back line. Rabun Gap made a noticeable effort to pick up the pace in hopes of catching the Lions off guard.

That pressure appeared to break through 20 minutes into the second half, when it looked as though junior midfielder Tau Lamsee scored the opening goal. The officials quickly blew the goal dead, however, ruling Lamsee was offsides.

Rabun Gap kept pressing, however, and with just under nine minutes to play, senior captain JP Orozco Soto found the back of the net with a 10-yard scorcher off the left side.

“Once I cut in and both guys went the other way, I knew I just had to get in on frame” Orozco Soto said following the match. “I think it’s the role God chose for me this time. Last year it was for me to just be there for my team, this year it was to get them there, and get them a senior year state championship.”

Soto ertainly played his role well, as one goal is all it would take to secure a fourth state title in four years.

Sasnett said there’s an easy explanation to his team’s success.

“It’s a culture,” Sasnett said. “It’s a way of life for us you know; we love soccer at Rabun Gap. We found ways to win all year long, and we played in the last six state championships, but I’m just so proud of this group because we only had two starters from the year before, so this is an exciting time for our program.”

Three Who Made Difference

JP Orozco Soto, Rabun Gap: The senior leader for the Eagles led the way, as his lone goal secured a fourth straight state title, and also made him four for four in his high school career.

Tau Lamsee, Rabun Gap: The junior midfielder also played his part, putting multiple shots on frame, and having a goal of his own called back.

Arturo Rojas Quesada, Rabun Gap: The senior goal keeper was a brick wall in net for the Eagles, saving multiple goals en route to the win.

Game summary

Rabun Gap 0 1 – 1

Covenant Day 0 0 – 0

Second Half

(RG) – JP Orozco Soto goal with 8:58 remaining