By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
May 8, 2003
The Under-12 Rapids did what few teams from the Meridian Youth Soccer Organization have been able to do as they took the state championship on Sunday in Pascagoula.
The Rapids notched a 2-1 win over Pearl on Sunday to claim the Division II State Championship. They are one of only a few state championship teams from Meridian and the first U12 team to win on the Division II level.
Teams from a league with select squads usually compete with Division III teams, but the Rapids competed with leagues that do not have select teams in Division II to take the championship. The change in division meant the Rapids had to beat teams with select-level players.
The Pearl Burn was one of those very talented teams. The Burn breezed through the early games of the district tournament and beat the Rapids 4-2 in the district tournament.
Pearl had played around 60 games together and was able to get by the less experienced Rapids in the district, but it was the Rapids that got the last laugh.
The Rapids and Burn each made it through the pool play of the state tournament on Saturday and faced off in a rematch.
The Burn went up 1-0 in the championship game with a goal in the first quarter.
The Rapids answered with a goal in the second quarter by Derrick Sullivan to tie the game at one.
That course led to a victory as Chase Sonak scored on a pass from Jett Miller midway through the fourth quarter, and the strong Rapid defense held the Burn to give the Rapids a 2-1 win and the state championship.
The Rapids close out the year with a 13-2-2 record to go along with the state championship.
Daniel Finan, Bryan Epps and Miller were a big part of the success from their midfield positions. Sean Smith and Chad Roberts secured the defense from fullback and Davis McGinnis at stopper and Allen Massingill rounded out the solid defense.
Adam Moore led the defense with great play at keeper.
The state championship was the second tournament win for the Rapids. They also took the first in the Mud Bowl in Florence earlier in the year.