The Savannah Arts boys soccer team secured its first state title by defeating Pierce County on May 13, 2026. This historic victory marks a significant achievement for the program.
Key points
Savannah Arts won its first state title
Victory against Pierce County
Date of the championship: May 13, 2026
Significant achievement for the soccer program
Notable players: Sebastian Nanez and Caden Powell
Savannah ArtsPierce County
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts jockeys for position on a throw in against a Pierce County defender in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts takes a corner kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
After deking two defenders, Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell get set to launch a rocket into the back of the net for the first goal in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Q&A
When did Savannah Arts win their first state soccer title?
Savannah Arts won their first state soccer title on May 13, 2026.
Who did Savannah Arts defeat to win the state championship?
Savannah Arts defeated Pierce County to win the state championship.
What is the significance of Savannah Arts winning the state title?
Winning the state title is a historic achievement for the Savannah Arts soccer program, marking its first championship victory.
Who were the standout players in the state championship match for Savannah Arts?
Sebastian Nanez and Caden Powell were notable players in the state championship match for Savannah Arts.
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Savannah Arts senior Robert Dennison in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts freshman Leo Nanez looks to make a pass in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts freshman Gabriel Guanique in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell on the attack in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich goes up for a save in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts soccer coach Ben Parker in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts (right) battles for possesson in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Alex Harkness of Savannah Arts plays a ball in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts was named the game's MVP in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts poses with the championship trophy after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts jockeys for position on a throw in against a Pierce County defender in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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How the Savannah Arts boys soccer team won the program's first state title
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts takes a corner kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
After deking two defenders, Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell get set to launch a rocket into the back of the net for the first goal in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts senior Robert Dennison in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts freshman Leo Nanez looks to make a pass in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts freshman Gabriel Guanique in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts junior Caden Powell on the attack in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich goes up for a save in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Savannah Arts soccer coach Ben Parker in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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How the Savannah Arts boys soccer team won the program's first state title
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts (right) battles for possesson in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Alex Harkness of Savannah Arts plays a ball in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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How the Savannah Arts boys soccer team won the program's first state title
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Caden Powell of Savannah Arts was named the game's MVP in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
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Images: Savannah Arts boys win first state soccer title in program history
Sebastian Nanez of Savannah Arts poses with the championship trophy after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The Savannah Arts boys soccer team was set to play in the first state final in program history on Wednesday — matching up with a familiar foe in region rival Pierce County, a team they had already beaten twice this season, without allowing a goal.
"Absolutely, I was worried about playing Pierce County for that third time," said Parker, in his sixth season leading the program. "I woke up at 3 in the morning thinking about every old sports adage that it's so hard to beat a good team three times."
"It feels amazing," Parker said. "It makes all the hard work, the hours on the field, the time away from family — it makes it all feel like it's worth it. The guys put everything they had into it, and that's what it's all about — it's about the kids. This team just refuses to lose, this team plays incredibly hard for each other and it starts in the back with our defense."
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The Savannah Arts soccer team poses after the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
The Panther offense got off to a great start itself and provided some breathing room early on. Junior forward Caden Powell, who was recently named the Region 3-2A Offensive Player of the Year, scored first on a play that he and his teammates won't soon forget.
Marked tightly by two defenders, he came down the right side of the field and pulled up on a dime as the defenders couldn't stop their forward momentum. He quickly gathered himself and delivered a left-footed blast into the upper left side of the goal from about 20 yards out to put the Panthers up 1-0 in the 27th minute. It was his 17th goal of the season.
"I got a great ball sent through by Nic Drabek," said Powell, who was named the MVP of the game by the GHSA. "I pulled it back and was able to make the shot, it felt great. We had a strong bond from practicing every day and doing team activities. Coach Parker helped us with everything we needed to do. It means everything to us, I love my teammates and am grateful to be part of this team."
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts senior captain Nic Drabek (center) in action in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Six minutes after Powell's strike, senior Sebastian Nanez made his presence felt with an impressive run from the right corner up the end line in what resembled a baseline drive in basketball, with a look toward a pass, before finishing himself with a right-footed shot inside the far post.
"I was trying to find a pocket of space, and I usually do pretty well at that — creating chances," said Nanez, who recently signed to play at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, a Division III program. "After we came from behind to tie Appling County and beat them on PKs in that playoff game, I thought we could go all the way after that. That Appling game was practically our state championship."
But as Coach Parker would attest, there were still tests to be passed after winning the second round playoff game over Appling County, another region rival for the Panthers. Next up was a win over defending state champion Drew Charter, where the Panthers scored the lone goal of the game with just over a minute left in regulation. Powell's free kick was headed in by freshman Theo Cohen to decide the game.
Then the Panthers (17-6) went on the long road trip to Columbus and knocked off the top-seeded Blue Devils on penalty kicks, with senior keeper Martin Melich coming up big in crunch time once again.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
Savannah Arts keeper Martin Melich clears one out of the box with a strong kick in the Panthers state championship win over Pierce County on May 13, 2026.
"Our defense is intense and we don't allow easy goals," Parker said. "Andrew Paschke and Theo Cohen are really tough center backs, and Alex Harkness and Will McCarn play extremely hard, and they play smart in front of a great keeper in Melich."
Parker also sang the praises of two seniors in Robbie Dennison and senior captain Drabek.
"Dennison must have gone up in the air and won 10 50/50 balls today and that kept the pressure off our defense," Parker said. "And Drabek means so much to us."
Parker said he had high hopes for this team, and they came to fruition.
"I think I knew from the beginning that we had the talent and we had the work ethic, but everything has to fall your way," Parker said. "We were extremely fortunate to end up in this game, winning two shootouts and another playoff game on a goal in the final minute. We gutted out some really close wins. And we were fortunate enough to get a couple goals early today, and kind of run the game out."
Dennis Knight covers sports for the Savannah Morning News. Contact him at Dknight@savannahnow.com. Twitter: @DennisKnightSMN
