Raptors topple Bishops

There will not be a ninth straight state title for the Bishop England girls soccer team this year.

Freshman Kallie Peurifoy scored three goals, including the game-winner with about eight minutes left in regulation, to lead Academic Magnet past Bishop England, 3-2, on Friday night in the Class AA Lower State semifinals.

The Raptors will take on the winner of the Barnwell-Waccamaw game Monday night for the Lower State title.

It will be the first time in nearly a decade that the Bishops have not played for a state title. The Bishops had won eight consecutive state titles in girls soccer heading into the 2010 season.

"It was a phenomenal game and phenomenal effort from all the girls," said Raptors head coach Troy Bennage. "It's another step for our program. We need to take another step on Monday and get to the state finals, but this was a big one.

"We had a feeling before this game that this might be the year we'd finally get past Bishop England. They've got a great program. It's the one you kind of measure yourself against in Class AA."

Bishop England took a 1-0 lead at halftime after an own goal by Academic Magnet. But the mistake was quickly forgotten after Peurifoy notched back-to-back goals during a five-minute span to start the second half.

"Kallie is such a great player," Bennage said. "She's a program changer. She has good speed and excellent skill."

The Bishops tied the game at 2-2 on Katelyn Twohig's goal 15 minutes into the second half.

The Raptors' game-winner came with less than 10 minutes left when striker Jenna Beauregard slid the ball over to Peurifoy, who blasted the shot in from about 20 yards for the goal.

"I thought Jenna was going to shoot, but she got the ball to me and I got it with my right foot," Peurifoy said. "At first I thought I was going to hit the post, but it went in. It was an amazing feeling to get the goal and to finally beat Bishop England.

"I had butterflies in my stomach the whole game, so I was just hoping we would go out and play our best."

Raptors goalkeeper Emily Gossen made two key saves in stoppage time to preserve the victory.

"Emily was awesome the whole game," Peurifoy said. "She made some great saves all game, especially in stoppage time."