History Makers: Byrnes girls soccer marches on in season of firsts

The Byrnes Lady Rebels have accomplished multiple feats for the first time in program history this season. (PHOTO | FRANCES DANIELS)

For the Byrnes Lady Rebel soccer team, 2025 has been all about firsts.

During the regular season, the Lady Rebels earned wins over programs like Riverside and Wade Hampton for the first time in program history. They downed Dorman for the first time in four years.

And on Tuesday night, Byrnes took down Dutch Fork 5-1, earning the program it’s first-ever playoff victory.

“These girls, the more they’ve practiced together this season, the more they’ve come together as a team,” said Byrnes head coach Fernando Gomez. “Now, they’re starting to believe that they can accomplish anything.”

Addison Watson got the scoring started for Byrnes on Tuesday, finishing off a shot that had rebounded off the goalpost. 

In the second half, the onslaught began. Tori Segarra scored the game’s second goal just 40 seconds into the latter stanza, followed by goals from Saige Peterson and Autumn Shetley quickly after. Segarra, a freshman, finished off the scoring for the Rebels with a goal to the bottom left corner with eight minutes to play.

“This year’s team has played every game with so much heart,” said senior striker Saige Peterson. “That’s what it is. We’ve always had potential, but every game we’ve been encouraging each other.”

Already having their best season record-wise in recent memory (12-5, 9-5 region), the Lady Rebels continue to set a new standard for the program. The “history makers,” as Gomez referred to them, are made up of several seniors aiming to end their careers on the highest notes possible — with a state championship. 

Players like Peterson, Shetley, Watson, defender Olivia Brockman, and goalkeeper Sophie Rushton have played major roles in the team’s success.

However, as vital to the cause as the team’s seniors have been, Gomez heaped praise on the team’s youngsters and underclassmen after Tuesday’s match.

Tori Segarra had her brace. Freshman defender Maci Coons, who Gomez was extra complimentary of, was tasked with handling Dutch Fork’s quickest player most of the game, Selah Cantave.

Saige Peterson (No. 19) celebrates with Maci Coons (No. 4) after scoring a goal. (PHOTO | FRANCES DANIELS)

Despite Cantave scoring Dutch Fork’s only goal of the match, Coons was rock solid in defense.

“I was thinking before the game, who do I have on the team that has just as much speed as [Cantave] but can also play as physical?” said Gomez. “I knew Maci was that girl. She went out there and did it.”

Coons said she’s felt hardly any pressure throughout the season, even being placed in a crucial spot as just a freshman.

“I really haven’t felt much pressure, because I know my teammates have my back,” said Coons. “Even when I make a mistake, they’ve got me. As the playoffs go on and we play tougher teams, I know I’ll have more pressure on my back, and I’m okay with that.”

Byrnes now turns its attention to a Friday night showdown with Mauldin (14-4, 12-2 region). The Lady Mavericks have been stout all season, giving up just four goals throughout 18 games on the year. Mauldin holds the No. 2 seed in the Class 5-A D-1 playoffs.

The Lady Rebels have already made plenty of history this season. So, they’re not worried.

They’re ready to make a little more.

“I think we have a chance against Mauldin,” said Peterson. “I know we’ve got what it takes. 

“If we play our tails off, I think we can get it done.”