By Lee Davis
The Over the Mountain area once again showed its strength on the soccer field this past weekend as no fewer than three teams won state titles and two others were runners-up in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Championships, played at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
Oak Mountain claimed its third consecutive Class 7A crown with a pressure-packed 2-1 penalty kick victory over Davidson of Mobile. Vestavia Hills’ girls saw their hopes of a second consecutive title end with a heart-breaking 2-0 defeat at the hands of McGill-Toolen.
In Class 5A-4A, Briarwood’s boys lost a one-goal decision to Randolph. Meanwhile the Lions girls team routed St. John Paul II 6-0 to claim the big prize.
Indian Springs boys also added hardware to their trophy case by winning the Class 1A-3A title with a 2-1 victory over Susan Moore.
In Oak Mountain’s Class 7A victory, the Eagles battled Davidson to a 1-1 deadlock in regulation play and two overtimes, so the decision came down to penalty kicks. Oak Mountain coach Daniel DeMasters gave sophomore goalkeeper Xzavier Brown the task of blocking the opposing offensive.
The Warriors’ first kick went over the crossbar. Brown blocked the next two shots to put his team in position to win. A successful penalty kick by Kennedy Davis gave the game – and the title – to the Eagles.
Jackson Murphy scored Oak Mountain’s first goal and was named MVP. Charles Jeter and Clay Holstad were also standouts for the winners.
The championship was not only the Eagles’ third in a row, but also their seventh since 2005.
“I guess we can now go for four in a row,” Oak Mountain coach Daniel DeMasters said. “I told Zay (Brown) to be like Superman. I knew he’d save us.”
Oak Mountain outshot Davidson 13-5.
The Vestavia girls lost to McGill despite getting 11 shots on goal. Yellow Jacket goalkeeper Eva Knapstein was the Lady Rebels’ greatest nemesis, earning the shutout with eight saves.
Briarwood’s girls had better news, thanks to an outstanding effort by Sarah Adcock. Adcock scored all six Lady Lion goals to lead her team to victory. Four of her goals came in the second half.
Adcock also scored four goals in a 6-1 victory over Faith Academy in the semi-final game.
Caroline Duffey had two assists for Briarwood and Blaire Shimer added an assist.
“It’s so much fun to see the girls work hard and win,” Briarwood coach Ryan Lieb said. “We weren’t that great in the first half but we kept fighting. I’m glad Sarah Adcock is on our team, too.”
Lieb said he was comfortable putting all his offensive chips on Adcock.
“She has been getting behind defenses all season and we’ve been getting her the ball,” he said. “You’ve got to have that person who can score. Sarah is relentless.”
Briarwood’s hope for a soccer sweep fell short when the Lion boys fell to Randolph 3-2. Logan Frost and Hamilton Bowen had goals for the Lions. Grant Fielding had two saves in the losing cause.
The Lions ended their season with a 17-6-3 record.
Indian Springs overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit to win the Class 1A-3A title.
Justin Chapman and Donald Wilson scored goals for ISS. Sam Simpson was named MVP.
Indian Springs had 12 shots on goal as they finished the year with a 23-2-6 mark.