AHSAA soccer championships frolic in the rain Saturday:
Class 7A power goes down sets the tone in conclusion of the event:
GDW Analysis:
HUNTSVILLE: Good weather conditions the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) soccer championships had prior to Saturday was unable to remain.
Class 7A and Class 6A fought the elements as well as each other at John Hunt Park.
The 7A matchups that had Gameday Weekly involved in broadcasting for the NFHS Network still provided excitement with this sport in the spotlight for four consecutive days from the Rocket City.
As the championship segment began the final day, a major encounter was on display in which greatness could not be fully completed.
Oak Mountain was not only the best ranked soccer program statewide in 7A, the Eagles carried the banner nationally.
Undefeated entering the final, Oak Mountain was given a great challenge by Montgomery Academy, also known as the Eagles.
This group took advantage of a rare mistake by Oak Mountain that would factor in Montgomery Academy pulling off the upset by a 2 to 1 final.
Oak Mountain accidentally kicked the ball into its net that put Montgomery Academy ahead just over 8:00 into the contest.
Montgomery Academy followed with its own goal, Cade Seagers, approximately 90 seconds later. These Eagles enjoyed a 2 to 0 lead that would continue until Oak Mountain got on the board with a goal at 25:05 of the 2nd half.
Oak Mountain's undefeated season of 30 & 0 and a 49 game winning streak was done.
Seagers would be selected the MVP.
The accomplishment by Montgomery Academy put the finishing touches of a 19/5/3 season and the championship in the highest classification of AHSAA soccer.
No. 1 Vestavia girls rally over No. 2 Auburn:
In the finale from Field 2, the two top girls teams from 7A laid it on the line while having to face rain, wind and temperature in the low 60s.
Second ranked Auburn Lady Tigers surged ahead of top ranked Vestavia Lady Rebels when Claie Napper converted a penalty kick with the match just 10 minutes old.
Vestavia managed to erase the deficit quickly. Two goals in less than a minute after the Auburn tally sent them ahead at 2 to 1.
The clincher was an incredible corner kick from the left side by Betsy Whitson.
Whitson delivered the insurance goal near the 18:00 mark of the final half.
A 3 to 1 lead would stand up for the Lady Rebels got solid play in the net by goalie Briana Tortorici following the lone score Auburn would get early in the match.
Whitson's corner shot and two assists propelled her to the MVP award for No. 1 Vestavia. The Lady Rebels ended the season in the muck at 21/2/4.
Auburn battled hard with the Lady Tigers having a solid campaign, 20/4/1.
Memorable moments in other title games:
Westminster Oak Mountain won the 4A crown in shutting out Oneonta 5 to 0 under sunny skies Friday. Charlie Krulak tallied a hat trick (3 goals) and was named MVP.
Westminster went through the semifinals and finals without allowing the opponent to score.
Ella Cazzavillan had two goals and an assist keying the St. John Paul Lady Falcons by St. Luke's 3 to 1 in the 4A championship.
Her 2nd goal with 26:07 left in the half put SJP on top to stay. Cazzavillan was selected the MVP.
Westminster Huntsville used two corner kicks by Annie Collier that led to goals from Caleigh Lewis in claiming a 2 to 1 triumph against 2nd ranked St. Michael in the championship of Class 5A.
The 2nd score off a corner kick was at 21:24 in the final half to put the 5th ranked Wildcats in front for the rest of the game.
Collier's heads up plays sent her to receiving the MVP award.
Gameday Weekly handled the play by play of 15 assignments from Field 2 of John Hunt Park from Wednesday through Saturday.
The games were streamed live with the camera work coordinated by Tim Brown and his staff from Field 2.
Rich Jesse of WKUL FM was the analyst for the championships with GDW Friday and Saturday.
Photo of Auburn's Claire Nappier (33) battling Vestavia's Georgia Litsi (8) and Betsy Whitson (10) for possession in Saturday's AHSAA 7A soccer championship from John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
Photo courtesy of the AHSAA.
