Riverside's boys soccer 5th championship is the sweetest

COLUMBIA — Scott Columbia may have the most fitting last name of any high school soccer coach in South Carolina.

He arrived at Riverside in 2020 to lead the boys soccer program, and somehow, someway, he’s ended up in Columbia to compete in the state championship game ever since.

But wait, it gets even better.

Not only has Columbia made five consecutive state championship appearances with the Warriors, but after Riverside’s 3-1 victory over Lucy Beckham on May 24 in the Class AAAAA Division 2 title game at Memorial Stadium, he’s won them all.

“I don’t think I could’ve ever dreamed of this,” Columbia said. “It is extremely difficult to win a state championship game. And, honestly, my only goal when I first started coaching was to give these kids the best experience on and off the field. I thought we’d have some good results, but never anything like this.”

Junior forward Will Knight scored two goals, and senior midfielder Gavin Weidman had the other against the Bengals (16-7).

Weidman has won a state title every year playing for the Warriors, but this one was extra special.

“This was the only one where I scored a goal, so this win is probably my favorite win,” he said, grinning. “We had a rocky season. There was a lot of obstacles we had to overcome. But that just speaks to the type of culture we have.”

This was the first season the Warriors (15-8) lost more than five games under Columbia’s tenure, and according to MaxPreps, its most since 2019 — but for good reason.

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“We had 10 injuries at one time this season, and seven of them were starters,” Columbia said. “So, we lost a few games that we probably shouldn’t have. But it ultimately helped us to build to where we are now.”

According to the players, the adversity they faced was just one thing that helped “build them to where they are now.” The most important factor, they said, was their coach.

“He’s just fantastic, man," Weidman said. "He works with all the players, builds us up, and makes sure we keep a positive attitude no matter what. He just brings this crazy energy that encourages us to win.”

All in all, there's only one place the Warriors coach hopes to make it back to next season. And it’s safe to say, he sure knows the way there.

“Columbia,” he said. “Always want to make it back to Columbia.”