STATE CHAMPIONS
In an emotional and triumphant finale, the Eastern Mennonite School varsity girls soccer team clinched the VISAA Division III state championship with a decisive 3-0 victory over New Covenant. This marks the Flames’ first state title since 2015, a win characterized by teamwork, perseverance, and an unbreakable bond among the players. Please read through this roundup of interviews, articles, photos and excerpts of the local coverage of our Championship Flames.
THE FINAL FLAME,By JOHN BREEDEN Daily News-Record
“As she fought back tears, senior Bri Showalter poured her heart out in describing what the moment meant to hear as she had just won the state championship in her final career game as a Flame.
While reality hadn’t hit her yet, Showalter knew she couldn’t have asked for a better ending.
“It’s very emotional,” Showalter said. “This is the best possible ending. I’m just very happy. … I don’t have a lot of words. It’s just emotional that this is my last game. It hasn’t sunk in yet, but it ended in the best way possible. It’s the sweetest ending to one of the best chapters of my life. I’m so proud of the team. It’s surreal. It’s like a dream come true.”
EMS seniors helped build program’s tight-knit culture, By JOHN BREEDEN Daily News-Record
“It rolls off the tongue every time I do the starting lineup,” Gascho said. “Outside Kate, center Catherine. … Then, it’s always up top Bri. The way they can persevere together through a lot of tough days, for them to be able to have this is spectacular.”
Because they’re close-knit friends on and off the field, Scherpereel said being a team captain alongside Showalter and Piper came as second nature to them.
Wyse emerged as top player for Flames, By JOHN BREEDEN Daily News-Record
“She’s all heart,” Gascho said. “Her heart is out there for everybody to see and you see that in her effort and her desire to give every ounce of effort for her teammates. To be able to blow through the back like and pair it with the composure in front of goal was just spectacular.”
Ultimately, Wyse’s pair of goals inside the first 15 minutes of the first half proved to be more than enough as the Flames became the 2025 VISAA state champions in a 3-0 shutout of New Covenant.
BREEDEN: Commitment, love led Flames to state title, By JOHN BREEDEN Daily News-Record
“The Flames are as tight-knit of a group as you’ll find around this area, with a primary focus on not the end result on the scoreboard but on their commitment to playing for each other and desire to grow with every passing day.
“I think our commitment to each other and the way we’re like sisters and family really bonds us together,” junior Gia Gredler said. “Our connection is really tight and that helps us play really well together.”
You’ll often hear coaches or players say that it isn’t about the final result, but it couldn’t be more true for the Flames.
In both their victories in the state quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, it wasn’t just about getting to the next game in their quest to win the state championship, but it was more about getting one last opportunity to play with each other.
Each one of the Flames has undying love and support for their teammates around them, and having the urgency of knowing it could be their last game as a team fueled their fire to reach the ultimate ending.”
Interview with Dave Riggert from ESPN Radio Harrisonburg with Coach Andrew Gascho
WHSV News Report, Eastern Mennonite crowned 2025 VISAA Division III state champions
GO FLAMES!
Check out some more photos from this story
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