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Published on 5/13/2008

By R.G. Greene

rgreene@gtowntimes.com

Though additional proof wasn't necessary, Monday evening's Class AA Lower State final offered further evidence that the rivalry between Waccamaw and Bishop England has become one of the best in South Carolina girls high school soccer.

With a berth in the state championship game on the line, the teams turned up the intensity even more than usual. And while Lizzie Daly's goal in the game's final minutes tilted things in BE's favor, the 1-0 loss shouldn't detract from Waccamaw's season.

Undefeated during the regular season, the Warriors (16-1) spent most of the year atop the Class AA rankings and, for the first time in school history, hosted the Lower State finale.

"It's a tough loss," Waccamaw coach Brian Brennan said. "There's nothing I can do to take (the disappointment) away. But I wanted to remind our players afterward of the great season they had. They worked hard and improved throughout the season. And we made history by having the Lower State championship on our field."

Bishop England has won six consecutive state titles, but was in the unfamiliar role of underdogs entering Monday after dropping two games to the Warriors during the regular season.

The teams have split their last six meetings, but BE has scored the most important wins, beating Waccamaw for the Lower State crown the last two years.

"Waccamaw is a quality program," Bishop England coach Dave Snyder said. "Coach Brennan has done a great job. It was a great game, a very even match. But we were able to find a way to get the win."

The Bishops were the only team to score on Waccamaw all season and both offenses found things equally tough on Monday. Shots on goal were virtually even, with each team getting only a limited number of opportunities.

As the clock wound down to less than two minutes, Daly was in the right place at the right time, positioning herself near the goal and deflecting a pass from Liz Miller into the back of the net and sending the Bishops (15-7-1) on to Columbia.

With both Daly and Miller being underclassmen and Waccamaw standouts like Taylor Player, Callie Dennis and Shelby Averett also set to return, next season promises to add another chapter to the rivalry.

"There is a lot of talent returning on both sides," Brennan said. "We'll certainly see each other again."

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