Eastside Boy’s Overcome Chapin in PK’s To Win Div. II AAAAA Soccer Title
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Columbia – Weather played its usual role in the 2026 SCHSL state championship soccer games on May 21-23 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia.
If it wasn’t too hot or humid, it was storming and dropping tons of rain. By the time the final whistle had blown, it was 1:40 a.m. Sunday morning. That final contest, the Division II-AAAAA finals, saw Eastside beat Chapin, 1-1(3-2 on penalty kicks) after 30 minutes of overtime.
Eastside keeper Brandon Jaramillo proved to be the hero in penalty kicks, swatting away successive attempts. Eastside then got goals from Frazor Kazian and Hunter Kazian to complete the win.
‘These boys have so much heart and determination and I never count them out,” said Eastside coach Steven Wood. “I think the region we play in, and the schedule we play, prepares us for something like this.”
Eastside has won seven state titles, but this is the first since 2022. Chapin ended the season with an 18-5 record, and all five losses came in penalty kicks.
“I hate it for these guys because they do everything we want them to do,’ said Chapin coach Bob Taylor.
Despite the long delay in starting, both teams seemed fresh and aggressive early. In the 16th minute, Eastside’s Ryder Martin headed in a pass from Asher Wilson for a 1-0 lead.
Later in the half, Chapin got the equalizer on a penalty kick by Lucas Rogers.
In the penalty kick phase, Chapin led 2-1 after successful kicks from Sam Szarkawski and Cole Keys. Chapin keeper Cooper Hughes made two saves and Chapin had momentum.
But Jaramillo rose to the occasion, and stymied Chapin’s chances. His clincher was off the foot of Gabe Salisbury.
