River Bluff and Stratford were scoreless through regulation and overtime. The Knights defeated the Gators 5-4 (penalties) to advance to the 5A Lower State Championship.
LEXINGTON, S.C. — The legendary Phil Savitz' coaching career came to an end Friday night with a marathon game at The Swamp.
Last fall, Savitz announced that the 2024 season would be his last on the sideline.
River Bluff entered the playoffs hoping to win a regional title and write a storybook ending for its coach.
After defeating West Ashley in a penalty shootout on Wednesday, the Gators faced Stratford in the 5A Lower State semifinals, but as the game progressed, it became clear that one goal could be enough to decide the outcome. It was obvious.
However, after 80 minutes of regulation time, two 10-minute overtime periods, and two five-minute golden goal rounds, the game went to penalties, with Stratford winning the round 5-4.
This marks the end of a 45-year coaching career for Savitz, who spent 33 years at Irmo and the last 12 years at River Bluff. His 824 wins are a state record and rank fifth all-time in the nation.
A 15-time state champion, Savitz was inducted into the SC Soccer Coaches Association's inaugural Hall of Fame in 2007 and the South Carolina Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
River Bluff will now hand over the program to Thad Miller, Savitz's longtime assistant.
