By Lee Davis
It doesn’t seem as if nine years have passed since the Vestavia Hills girls soccer team won a state championship.
But surprisingly, that little factoid is true. The Lady Rebels consistently produce some of Alabama’s best teams, but they haven’t brought the big blue trophy back to Limerock Road since 2007.
There’s a good chance that drought will end in 2016.
That’s because Vestavia isn’t just winning – the Lady Rebels are dominating while playing one of the toughest schedules in the state.
Vestavia clinched the championship of Class 7A Area Six Friday night with a 3-1 win over highly regarded Spain Park. Senior Kennedy Hicks set the tone with a goal in the game’s first minute. Freshman Caroline Causey’s cross to sophomore Taylor Korn provided the second goal. Faith Hauberg scored the third goal shortly before the end of the first half.
The Lady Rebels’ domination speaks for itself. In posting a 19-1 record through the end of last week, Vestavia has outscored its opponents by an aggregate total of 53-8 while chalking up an eye-popping 12 shutouts.
As overpowering as the Lady Rebels have been, Vestavia coach Brigid Littleton insists that the reason for the success is simple.
“It’s all been because our girls have bought into what we’re teaching and have great camaraderie,” Littleton said. “At the beginning we were a bit unstable and weren’t very consistent. We had to get it all together and we did.”
Hicks leads the Lady Rebels with 13 goals in 38 kicks on goal, according to official statistics released before the weekend. Korn has seven goals. Two other Vestavians – Sophia Kamburis and Julia Freeman – have each scored five goals. Hauberg added four goals while Causey and Caroline Silvio scored three apiece.
“Our defense is a big key to our success, but our offense has been tremendous as well,” Littleton said. “In the past we’ve had great defense but struggled to score.”
In 2016, the Lady Rebels’ opponents are the ones struggling to put points on the scoreboard. In yielding only seven goals all season, senior goalkeeper Lauren Rousell has 36 saves for a stellar 83.70 percent.
“If I had to describe our style, I would say we’re composed yet aggressive,” Littleton said. “But the ultimate key to our team is the commitment the girls have for one another and their die-trying attitude. It begins with senior leadership and is implemented throughout our roster.”
Seniors on Vestavia’s roster include Lindsay Copeland, Alex Savage and Abigail Albritton in addition to Hicks, Kamburis and Rousell.
Perhaps the Lady Rebels’ most impressive win came in a 2-1 victory over top-ranked and two-time defending state champion Oak Mountain on April 4.
After a scoreless first half, Freeman scored the opening goal after a pass from Hauberg. The Lady Eagles rallied to tie the score before Kamburis scored with an assist from Copeland to give Vestavia the lead for good. Roussell sparked the defensive effort with five saves.
The Lady Rebels assumed the number one ranking in the polls after the victory.
“When we go into a game, each girl knows they have 10 other players on the field that would do anything for her,” said Littleton. “That sums it up.”
The expectations are high – but Vestavia seems to have the talent and chemistry to make a run all the way to the state title. “The team goal is to win the state,” Littleton said. “Our girls have made their own goals as far as what they should do to be a contributing member of this team regardless of their position or how much playing time they receive. To win the state, we have to maintain composure when pressured and be consistent all over the field.”
If Vestavia has that much-coveted composure and consistency, the Lady Rebels just may earn themselves a new blue trophy.
