Registration for bishops tie State boys soccer crowns-Charleston Post Courier

COLUMBIA--boys Bishop England got redemption and another State soccer Title Saturday with a 3-1 victory over Gilbert in class AA State Championships at Memorial Stadium.

The bishops supported their 15th state title since the League High School sanctioned sport in 1976. 15 Titles is the State record held by Irmo, which had refused the 16th State title Whang Ryeong later Saturday night.

Bishop England boys won the State class AA Football Championship 3-1 over the Indian Memorial Stadium in Gilbert in Colombia on Saturday.

Batesburg-Leesville last year stunned the community football member and the bishops with a triple-overtime victory 1-0 in a game dominated by the bishops in each category, except for the score. It was arguably the biggest upset in the history of the State Football Championship. Bishop England outshot Batesburg-Leesville, 41-6, but the Cubs ' Carlos Hernandez scored a goal in the 102nd minute to give his team a 1-0 victory that denied them their sixth straight Title bishops State.

"It is very gratifying," said Bishop England coach Ed Khouri of victory which gave the bishops a record 15-6-1. "We have our redemption. It was a very grueling year. This was our 15th Championship and gave the school the 96th State Championship overall. It is a good feeling to be able to add to that tally.

"I really wanted to get back here after what happened last year," added Khouri. "We persevered, returning to the big dance. We have what happened last year a lot this week. Last year, we have our opportunities, but in the end won. "

The bishops, who outshot Gilbert, 24-7, was able to find the back of the net against Gilbert (24-3). Brian Byrne scored on an assist from Patrick Khouri in the 15th minute. St. Johns Carroll made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute and Drew Costa contributed to give control of the bishops.

"We were all like super-disappointed last year," said Byrne. "We had our chances but just didn't finish. Today, a State Championship in the score is awesome. It is terrible that wins a State Championship. It is something that we have worked on all year. "

Elises Cedillo scored only goal at minute 72i Gilbert.

Gilbert ranked the No. 2 team in class AA and is one of the fastest growing programs in the State regardless of the classification.

Gilbert had only 28 WINS from 2004-07 and flourished from coach Kevin Darlington arrived in ' 08. The Indians have won 75 matches of four recent periods.

"As a coach, it took me 10 years to get back here," Darlington said. "That tells you how difficult it is to reach the State Championship. We can look back and enjoy the season. We must work to get back here. "