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Two Savannah Chatham County Public School middle school soccer teams won championships on April 17, 2023, at the Savannah High School Stadium. In the boy's championship game, Coastal MS Seahawks (7-0) defeated the STEM Academy (5-2) 2-1, and the STEM Academy Lady Ravens (7-0) defeated Charles Eilis (6-1) 6-0. Both games had two different storylines.

It was the same situation last year, but the Seahawks had a different outcome. Coastal MS boys had to come from behind to win 2-1 over STEM Academy. The Seahawks lost last year to STEM Academy 3-0. According to Coastal Middle School Head Coach it was a motivating factor for this year's team.

"We had a goal after last season. The goal was to win the championship and I could tell this year's team was determined," said Head Coach Brain Chadwick. "As in last year's title game we got behind and we were down and never got back up. In this year's game when we got behind, I could tell it was going to be different. I watched my players, and they were picking each other up, they weren't hanging their shoulders they just fought back up and we tied it up. I mean it was it was beautiful to watch how they grew from last year and dealt with adversity to win this championship." Tri-captain Eighth grader TJ Hapakuka-Nunuha scored both goals in the Seahawk's victory.

According to Coach Chadwick, there were keys to the team's success. The 6th-grade players stepped up in the championship game big time. The help of Assistant Coach Dave Brock was immense, and the captains were true leaders. TJ Hapakuka-Nunuha, Charlie Neall, and Alex Roma were this year's team captains that led eight players returning out of the 16 players on the roster. TJ was the leading scorer on the season, as the Seahawks scored 44 goals while only giving up two goals all season. 

"TJ was determined all season, Charlie played like the MVP of the championship game and Alex was consistent all season," stated Coach Chadwick. "They all led by example and the team followed. The team was determined, mentally and physically tough, they weren't going to be denied the championship."

Coastal Middle School Boys 2023 Roster

STEM Academy Lady Ravens dominate again

This year the STEM Academy Lady Ravens came into was SCCPSS playoffs as the top seed. The Lady Ravens finished the season 7-0 by beating Ellis 6-0, but the game was tied 0-0 at the half. According to Co-Head coach Lauren Kelly, "Ellis played a defensive game playing 11 players on defense. At half time, we adjusted and scored six goals to win," said Coach Kelly. "The experience coaching this team was rewarding with Co-Coach Angela Keel."

In the first round of playoffs, the Lady Ravens played the only close game up to that point, with the closest match being against Garrison, winning 2-1. The STEM Academy team had previously shut out five teams and beat Garrison 9-2 during the season. On the season, STEM outscored their opponents 61-3. Yes, the Lady Raven's defense only surrendered three goals all year.

"Overall the girls came out and dominated all season," said Coach Kelly. "We had only three eight graders on the roster. Our seventh-grade class was strong, and we have a very young team. 7th grader Alyssa Gibson was the leading goal scorer with 22 goals, followed by 7th grader Adeline DeLashmet 12 goals, and 6th grader Cadence Jones has 11."

STEM ACADEMY GIRLS 2023 Roster

Coach Kelly and Coach Keen have been coaching the STEM soccer program since 2017. According to Kelly, under the leadership of these coaches excluding the Covid-19 pandemic year, the Lady Ravens have won the title five out of the six seasons. Last year Kelly took the year off to finish her doctorate as Coach Keen took the team to the SCCPSS Championship but fell short, but the staff was back together this season, winning another SCCPSS middle school Championship.

PHOTO CREDIT: SCCPSS HPE Athletics Department