By Rubin E. Grant
Betsy Ankar and Gabby Lamontagne experienced a remarkable double dose of soccer titles within a few weeks.
In May, Ankar and Lamontagne helped Mountain Brook win the AHSAA Class 6A state championship, which was the Spartans’ first title since 2013.
Then barely a month later, they helped the Hoover-Vestavia Soccer Club 2008 team win the U16 Development Player League national championship on July 1 in Norco, California.
Hoover-Vestavia coach Luke Whittle said that, as far as he knows, his team is the only Alabama team, girls or boys, to ever win a Super Group national championship in soccer.
The Hoover-Vestavia Soccer team defeated Charlotte Soccer Academy 2-1 in the championship game.
“Winning a state and national title in back-to-back months was so rewarding for Gabby and me,” Ankar said. “Both teams are high-level, high-intensity teams with similar attributes.
“The state championship was with my high school friends and teammates, which was so special. The national championship was during club season with girls from different schools. Both experiences were exciting and rewarding. I’m so proud to be part of both teams.”
Only 16 teams from across the nation were selected to participate in the six-day DPL tournament that began in late June.
The Hoover-Vestavia Soccer team has 17 players, including five from Hoover, four from Vestavia Hills, two from Mountain Brook, two from Trussville and one each from Homewood, Helena, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa. Because of injuries, only 15 traveled to California for the tournament.
Ankar, who will be a sophomore at Mountain Brook this fall, is actually a 2009 player who joined the Hoover-Vestavia 2008 team in June and played up a year.
“This was my first year with the 2008 HVS team,” she said. “I’m excited to play with such a great group. I play center back, so I focus mostly on defense, but I get to move forward for corners or attack once the ball is won.”
Lamontagne, who also will be a sophomore, is a midfielder. Ankar is pleased they were part of the U16 team.
“Gabby and I just finished playing our high school season together, so we got to know each other then as players as well as friends,” Ankar said. “When our club season started, it was fantastic to play again together and continue our winning streak.”
Lamontagne played a key role in the championship game against Charlotte. Hoover-Vestavia scored in the first five minutes on a goal by Maddie Hazelton with an assist from Meagan Tucker.
Charlotte, which had defeated the Hoover-Vestavia team 2-1 during regular season play, tied the score 1-1 just before halftime.
Hoover-Vestavia team scored what proved to be the winning goal in the second half on a corner set piece. Lamontagne served it in with Kelly West finding the back of the net.
Goalkeeper Lane Morton made a save in the final moments to keep Charlotte from tying the game and sending it into overtime.
Hoover-Vestavia opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory against the Monterey Surf Soccer Club from California, then tied Sunrise Soccer Club Sting from Florida 1-1. In its third game, Hoover-Vestavia beat Colorado Rush 2-1 and then shut out SoCal Reds FC Liverpool FC International Academy 1-0 to advance to the finals.
“We fought hard the whole tournament,” Ankar said. “We didn’t take losing as an option and persevered through all five games.”
Renewed Commitment
Whittle attributed the championship to hard work and resilience.
“Our girls sacrificed their month of June right after high school soccer to train and get back into shape to prepare for nationals at the end of June,” Whittle said. “We had qualified for nationals the previous two years and did not fare great in group play. This year they had a renewed commitment to each other and to working even harder than previous years. Through a great team effort, they achieved their year-long goal.
“At various moments, each of them played a huge part in our team’s success. The support of our parental group also played a huge part in our success. Everyone had bought into what we needed to do to try and win.”
Whittle noted that Morton’s play was instrumental throughout the tournament. Morton, who plays for Hoover High School, served as team captain.
“Lane did have a tremendous week and kept us in games,” Whittle said. “She was a key part of our success in the final game in making a crucial save to allow us to win the national championship.”
Another Hoover-Vestavia player, Ella Kappler was selected to play in the U16 all-star game. She also plays for Hoover High School.
Following their national championship, Hoover-Vestavia left the Development Player League and moved into the South Central Conference of the Girls Academy League.
But the national championship is something Whittle and his players will cherish.
“For our HVS Girls program, I believe it continues to show that our players can compete at all levels of soccer and be successful,” Whittle said. “It shows that with hard work, loyalty, determination and commitment, they can accomplish just about anything on the national stage. For me, I’m so proud, excited for them and happy they can now truly see how hard work pays off.”
