COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Eastside lost 4-0 to Chapin in the South Carolina Class 5A-D2 girls soccer state championship game on May 23 at Memorial Stadium in Columbia. Senior forward Lydia Parker reflected on her four-year career with the program after the final whistle.

Parker smiled broadly and gave extended hugs to her teammates following the loss. "In my four years at Eastside, I've been to four state championships, and won three." she said.

She said the team's outlook extended beyond the result of the title game. "We're blessed and highly favored. This team has a faith that's larger than anything. And that's what's keeping us grounded." Parker said the team reached the championship game as the runner-up in the Class 5A-D2 classification, one of several divisions contested in South Carolina's state soccer tournament. The game was played at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, the same venue that has hosted previous state championship matches.

Parker said losses are part of a broader perspective she and her teammates carry. "At the end of the day, losses are a part of life. But this team knows we're more than just a state championship," she said.