Ramstein junior Kayla Groat sends a header towards the net during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — There’s been no love lost between Stuttgart and Ramstein in girls soccer.
For years, the two teams have shared the spotlight atop Division I and more often than not, faced off in the championship game.
That was the case again this year. And Thursday, the Panthers earned a bit of revenge for recent history of the rivalry, winning the DODEA-Europe championship 4-2 over Ramstein.
The Royals had defeated the Panthers the last two seasons in the final game of the season and also earned a 3-2 victory this year in the regular season.
According to Stuttgart head coach Nathan Garrett, the veteran Panther girls didn’t mince words heading into the 2026 DODEA soccer championships — they were fed up with being number two.
“It was the seniors who really had the goal in mind,” Garrett said. “They said ‘we’ve done this so many times with not winning it, and we want to win.’”
“I think coming off a hard loss last year, we knew that we had to win for us, for our team, for everybody in the stands,” senior midfielder Brielle Aplanalp said. “It’s what we’ve been working for all season.”
The Panthers put the Royals on their back feet to start the contest with some of the quickest play seen in this year’s tournament. It forced the Royals into a more reactive posture early on, but both teams were able to stretch the field, going end-to-end, putting plenty of mileage on the cleats.
“I think it’s just the game we play,” Garrett said. “These girls want to condition a lot.”
Stuttgart freshman Alexandria Lyles dribbles past Ramstein's Reese Monson during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. Stuttgart won 4-2. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart's Eden Luce and Ramstein's Kayla Groat run for the ball during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Royals junior Aviella Pope clears the ball during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Ramstein senior Ava Smith dribbles downfield during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Stuttgart senior Norah Hightower shoots on goal from distance during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
Panther freshman Alexandria Lyles shoots on goal against Ramstein during the final game of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. Lyles recorded a hat trick in Stuttgart's 4-2 championship win. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
The Stuttgart Panthers squad runs toward the stands holding hands in celebration following their 4-2 championship win over Ramstein at the conclusion of the 2026 Division I DODEA European soccer championships at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, May 21, 2026. (Bradley Latham/Stars and Stripes)
The game really heated up about 25 minutes in, when a costly Stuttgart handball in the penalty box set up a go-ahead penalty kick score for Ramstein off the boot of senior midfielder Olivia Davis.
Unshaken, the Panthers fired back with lightning speed, and freshman Alexandria Lyles put the ball in the back of the net less than minute later.
It wouldn’t be the last time Stuttgart played from behind. Not long into the second half, a header from junior Kayla Groat put the defending champions back on top.
The Panthers said that moment only motivated them more.
“We don’t believe in putting our heads down ever,” Aplanalp said. “It doesn’t matter if we were down ten to zero, we would not put our heads down, and we would not give up.”
Stuttgart answered with another goal from Lyles off a deep cross around the 59th minute. An additional goal from sophomore striker Aubrie Hightower a few minutes later would have likely been enough to put the game away, but Lyles finished off her hat trick, scoring again in the 67th minute.
“I trusted my team,” Lyles said. “They did all the work getting up there, so I needed to finish it.”
Senior Regan Stewart, who has played all four years as a Panther, said the championship win was certainly fueled by the longstanding rivalry, but even more so by the bonds her teammates have formed.
“This was the one and only shot that we had as this group of girls to bring together everything we worked for,” Stewart said. “That’s why we wanted it as bad as we did.”
Stuttgart will lose a significant amount of the squad in the offseason, saying farewell to eight seniors and others who are moving back to the states. Lyles will return to playing club and high school soccer in Southern Pines, N.C.
Garrett didn’t seem too concerned after Thursday’s win though, noting plenty of solid JV players are ready to set up.
“They are definitely coming in to fill some big shoes, but we have full confidence they’re going to fill in just fine.” he said.
