MITCHELL–The Stevens Raiders are poised to win a double championship Saturday at the State Soccer Tournament in Mitchell. The Women’s team downed Yankton 2-0, and will face Pierre on Saturday. The Men’s team, dressed in all-blues, thumped #1 seed Washington 2-0 in a showdown that many observers considered the tournament’s battle of titans.

Washington entered the game with a reputation for playing hard early and jumping ahead. But Stevens Head Coach Luis Usera frustrated the Warriors with a smothering 4-5-1 defensive set that left three and sometimes four Washington defenders standing around guarding one lone Stevens striker. The strategy freed Stevens defenders to load up against the Washington offense. When Washington grew impatient, Stevens shifted to a more aggressive offense, and Washington did not recover in time.

At the 30 minute mark in the first half, Chaz Foss took a pass from Chancy Burns and drove the goal. His strike bounced off the Washington goalie’s arm and into the net. Foss’ goal tied the Stevens single season scoring record at 9.

Ten minutes into the second half, Foss struck again, this time with a blistering rocket from just left of center about 25 yards from the goal. “I pushed it past one defender and caught the goalie off guard.”

Chaz Foss is now the leading single season scorer in Stevens team history, with ten goals.

Rapid City Stevens is one their way to the state title game in both boys' and girls' soccer. Chaz Foss (above) became the new single-season record holder for goals in a season with ten.

“We played more physical than Washington, and I think we just wanted it more.” Foss said after the game. “Our whole approach to this tournament is that it’s a business trip. We just want to take care of business and come home with a championship.”

Assistant Coach Brett Lawlor said that it has become clear over the course of the Tournament that Coach Luis Usera is a big reason behind Stevens’ success. “He’s just very sophisticated. He’s very smart strategically, and he makes great adjustments. He thinks one step ahead.”

In the second Men’s AA semi-final game Spearfish lost to Lincoln 0-2, to set up tomorrow’s championship game between Stevens and Lincoln. Earlier in the season the two teams tied 1-1. Tomorrow, someone will lose, and one team will be champion.

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In the surprise upset of the tournament, Belle Fourche beat St. Thomas More 4-3 in overtime of the Women’s A Division semi-finals. Belle Fourche will face off against West Central for the A championship on Saturday.