Lady Terriers win Division III State Title

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Senior striker Grace Champagne has scored so many goals in her illustrious, storied Vandebilt career that it’d be practically impossible to remember them all.

But her last at the prep level will be a goal that will follow both she and the rest of the Lady Terriers soccer community for a long, long time.

Vandebilt and Loyola played an epic Division III State Championship Match on Thursday night at Tad Gormley Stadium – a back and forth battle that went to overtime with the teams locked in a 1-all tie.


In the extra time, Champagne got free, and made history.

With just a little more than three minutes left before penalty kicks, she wiggled through the defense and into the box. Once there, she swung her powerful leg and drilled the ball into the back of the net to give the Lady Terriers a huge, go-ahead goal.

Once the ball was put back in play, the Lady Terriers’ defense stiffened until the final whistle, sealing a thrilling 2-1 victory and the state championship for Vandebilt.


The victory is the fourth state title for the Terriers and the second-straight for the storied, talent-rich soccer program.

Coach Phil Amedee said he couldn’t be prouder of Champagne, his other seniors and the team as a whole for winning the big game.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the kids,” Amedee said. “We were challenged today. We had some opportunities that we missed, and at the end of it, we got the big play that we needed to win it. Every phase deserves credit. It was a total team effort and a great team win.”


It was a great game, too.

Loyola showed no fear of Vandebilt, despite falling to the Lady Terriers in both the 2016 Playoffs and also in an early-season match in November – both 2-0 shutouts.

Vandebilt scored in the opening seconds of the match, but then Loyola’s defense stiffened, keeping the Lady Terriers off the board for 80-plus minutes.


Before halftime, Loyola got an equalizer – a gorgeous free kick from Shannon Anderson, which tied the game at 1. 

The second half was intense with both teams having chances, but the Lady Terriers controlling possession. 

Champagne nearly scored several times, but was thwarted by saves or deflections, which sent the game to overtime.


But in the extra frame, her shot didn’t get blocked, but instead sailed into history.

Check Wednesday’s edition of The Times for a more in-depth story on the Lady Terriers’ win. 

Lady Terriers


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