By Rubin E. Grant
Vestavia Hills girls soccer coach Brigid Meadow described navigating this soccer season as a challenge because of all the COVID-19 protocols.
“We were not able to play as many games as we usually play. We were not able to travel because we couldn’t stay overnight,” Meadow said. “The games we played have been beneficial to the development of our girls.”
Despite the drawbacks, the Rebels are back where they have been the past two completed seasons: in position to win a state championship.
Second-ranked Vestavia Hills (18-2) will play the rival Oak Mountain Eagles (20-3-1) in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 7A semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at the John Hunt Soccer Complex in Huntsville. The championship game is set for noon Saturday.
John Carroll Catholic (10-9-1) and Homewood (19-2-0) also are competing in the girls state tournament. John Carroll takes on No. 1 Montgomery Academy in a Class 4A-5A semifinal at 3 p.m. Thursday, and No. 1 Homewood meets No. 7 Southside-Gadsden at 9 a.m. Friday in a Class 6A semifinal.
Vestavia Hills won the Class 7A title in 2018 and 2019, but no one won in 2020 because the season was halted in March.
“We’re thankful to be able to get back to the state tournament,” Meadow said. “I hope we can continue to move forward with the momentum we’ve had the last part of the season.”
The Rebels advanced with a 1-0 quarterfinal victory at Bob Jones in Madison last Friday. Elizabeth Ray scored the lone goal off a penalty kick. Sophomore Annie Gilleland recorded the shutout in goal for the second-ranked Rebels.
Oak Mountain advanced with a 6-0 victory at Sparkman.
“We’re very excited about going to the state tournament,” Oak Mountain coach Chris Blight said. “It’s been one of our goals.
“We feel like we’re playing very well at the right time. The girls have really dedicated themselves and are looking forward to the challenge of playing Vestavia.”
Vestavia Hills features 13 seniors, including captains Grace Ellis, Riley Vicinanzo, Kaylee Dressback and Julia Woodruff. All plan to play in college, Ellis at North Alabama, Vicinanzo with the Coast Guard Academy and Dressback with Houston.
Despite the presence of next-level talent, Meadow said it’s been a team effort.
“All of our girls have been fully committed and have contributed,” she said. “The girls who don’t get to play a lot give 100 percent in practice to push the other girls to get better. It’s special.”
The Eagles are led by senior defender Kaitlin Maynard, sophomore defender Kierson McDonald and junior midfielders Lane Hope and Haley Wells.
The Rebels edged the Eagles 1-0 when they met during the regular season March 19.
“I think both teams had a lot of chances,” Blight said. “I think the rematch is the two best teams in the state playing each other.”
Meadow concurs.
“They’re good,” Meadow said of the Eagles. “We respect their talent and the things they do. I think both of us have dynamic teams. It’s a good match-up. I feel it’s like a championship game.”
A New McBride
Homewood will be seeking its second state title, but under a new McBride.
The Patriots won the Class 6A crown in 2019 — their first state championship in girls soccer — with Mindy McBride at the helm. But now her husband, Sean, is guiding the Patriots in his second season as the girls head coach, following a lengthy tenure as the boys coach.
Sean McBride guided the Homewood boys to five state championships, in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2014 and 2018.
“Mindy says the girls are under the worser McBride,” Sean McBride said with a laugh. “She told me I hadn’t won anything until I have won with the girls.”
Homewood earned its state tournament berth with a 3-0 victory over area rival Chelsea in the quarterfinals. Sunny Ferren scored two goals for the Patriots and Ana Harbin had the other.
“I think hard work and consistency have been the keys to our season,” McBride said. “Now, hopefully we’ve got two more games to go.”
