Oak Mountain High School boys’ soccer coach David DiPiazza had just lifted the Alabama High School Athletic Association blue map championship trophy high following a 3-0 win over Auburn on Saturday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. There were smiles everywhere for the Eagle faithful.

But, the sixth-year coach said, “I’m really sad, I’m sad that it’s over. It’s really been fun to coach and enjoyable to watch. It’s an incredible team.”

DiPiazza’s squad rolled through the 2024 season unbeaten – and almost completely unblemished. The No. 1 team in Alabama finished at 29-0-1 and are ranked second in the nation. Only a 1-1 stalemate on March 7 with Oconee County of Watkinsville, Ga., in the Jekyll Island Tournament of Champions prevented a perfect season for Oak Mountain.

“This is a great group of boys who come from great families, who are in a great community, that are very good at soccer,” DiPiazza said. “These are great kids and brothers. And they just fought for each other all year.”

Oak Mountain outscored its opponents 120-15. The Eagles earned the spot in the final game with a 3-0 win over Huntsville in the semifinals.

Luke Jovanovich, who had an assist in the final, was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

“I’m happy to see us win after coming here the past two years and not winning,” said Jovanovich, a junior left back. “We just worked as a team. We just bond so well together and have a great chemistry.”

In 2023, the Eagles lost to Huntsville in the semifinals. In 2022, Oak Mountain lost 2-0 to Daphne in the state finals. The Eagles also won state championships in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Gabe Capocci scored at 50:35 to give the Eagles all the goals they would need. Aidan Riley scored at 61:25 with an assist from Nate Joiner. Gerardo Rodriguez added his goal at 70:27, assisted by Jovanovich.

“It was just a fantastic team goal,” said Capocci, a junior center-mid. Jovanovich took a corner kick and crossed it to Capocci who turned around and shot it home. “And I’m glad that I could help give us that energy to help get us the next two goals.”

Oak Mountain goalkeeper Alexander Chaidez-Cruz, a sophomore, finished with zero saves because Auburn’s 2 shots were not on goal. The Eagles made 6 shots, 5 on goal.

“It’s unreal,” Chaidez-Cruz said of winning the blue map trophy. “All the ups and downs we’ve gone through. But we finally made it happen. It’s back at Oak Mountain where we always wanted it to be.”

Auburn goalkeeper Brody Cobine made 2 saves for the fifth-ranked Tigers (17-4-2).

Coach Bill Ferguson, now in his 10th season, has also coached the 2024 state champion Auburn girls since 2020.

“First of all, I love these guys,” Ferguson said. “God is good. And we’re gonna praise him no matter what. I got 10 seniors that are graduating, and they built a legacy. We will be back.”