DHS girls soccer 3A playoffs
Danielle Kriss and her parents on Senior Night; Kriss signed to play soccer at Converse College in the fall.
Photo contributed.
By Will Isgett
Contributing Writer
History was made at the Falcon’s Nest last week as the Darlington varsity girls soccer team played host to its first ever Class 3A state playoff soccer match against the Hanahan Lady Hawks.
Entering the match as the number two seed from Region 6 3A, Darlington played hard, and even with the 10-0 loss the team actually gained more- as they now know what it takes to be a contender in the playoffs.
Assistant Coach Jessica DeStefano said that by the team making the playoffs and hosting a match, they definitely brought not only the school but the community together.
“This is probably the most fans I’ve seen at the girls games,” DeStefano said. “Principal Dr. (Greg) Harrison had been announcing at school that we would host the game, and to have him here at the match meant a lot. All in all, it really brought the girls spirits up today.”
Darlington fell behind early in the match as Hanahan scored its first goal in the 34th minute of the first half, and trailed 7-0 at the half.
The Lady Falcons defense stood tall in the second half allowing only three goals and had its best chance to score with 20 minutes left in the match, but a shot and corner kick were both missed.
Without a feeder program in Darlington for girls or boys soccer, the students aren’t as fortunate as teams from the Charleston area where soccer is “king”.
“Playing teams from outside of our region helps our girls realize that there is more competition out there,” DeStefano said. “Even with the loss, I think we can take some positives away from it.”
Darlington loses only one senior from the team in Danielle Kriss, who has signed to continue her soccer career at Converse College.
“The future looks very bright for us,” DeStefano said. “This is a really great group of girls who are willing to learn, and to do better.”
