Vienna junior golfer Jake Lopes took his singles match to the final hole Sunday before Team Carolinas clinched an 11–5 victory over Team Virginias at the 44th Carolinas-Virginias Junior Boys' Team Matches at Benvenue Country Club in Rocky Mount, N.C.

Lopes, a Class of 2027 golfer committed to the University of Virginia, was one of eight players representing the Virginias in the invitation-only event, which pits top juniors from Virginia and West Virginia against their counterparts from North and South Carolina. The two-day competition, played Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, featured foursomes, four-ball and singles matches worth a combined 16 points. Benvenue's small greens placed a premium on approach shots and putting throughout the weekend.

Team Carolinas swept both Saturday sessions 3–1 to build a 6–2 lead heading into Sunday singles.

Lopes went 0–2–1 across the weekend. Paired with Liam Maclauchian of Moseley, Va., he lost his Saturday morning four-ball match 6 and 4 to Sam Terry and Noah Fry, then fell 1-up in the afternoon foursomes against Drew Mercer and Landry Williams. His best showing came in Sunday singles against Brady Senn. Neither player could create separation, and the match arrived at the 18th hole all square. Senn drove into the trees left of the fairway but escaped to the green and two-putted for the halve, earning the half point that officially secured the Carolinas' team victory.

The loss ended Team Virginias' bid for a third consecutive Vinny Giles Trophy. The Virginia State Golf Association had previewed the team's title defense in an Aug. 7 Instagram post, naming Lopes among the eight selected players. The Carolinas now lead the all-time series 24–18–2, according to the Carolinas Golf Association recap.

Lopes entered the team matches riding strong AJGA form. He finished tied for third at the Justin Thomas Junior Championship on Tuesday, Aug. 4, shooting rounds of 68-69-70, and tied for fourth at the Lanto Junior Championship on June 1, according to his AJGA profile. He was also the 2025 VSGA Junior Match Play stroke-play medalist.

The Aug. 8–9 event marked Lopes' second consecutive team-matches appearance. In the 43rd edition in 2025, he and teammate Tommy Evans won their foursomes match together.