AHSAA soccer: St. James, Westminster-Oak Mountain girls advance

AHSAA soccer: St. James, Westminster-Oak Mountain girls advance

St. James and Westminster-Oak Mountain punched their tickets to the Class 1A/3A girls soccer championship with wins on Friday morning at Huntsville’s John Hunt Park.

Fourth-ranked St. James edged No. 10 Cottage Hill Christian 2-1 while fifth-ranked Westminster blanked second-ranked Susan Moore 4-0.

The Trojans from Montgomery and Knights from metro Birmingham will play for the title on Saturday at 1 p.m. on Field 1 at the soccer complex in Huntsville. St. James is seeking its first championship while Westminster-Oak Mountain is playing for its second after winning the crown in 2019.

St. James 2, Cottage Hill 1

St. James junior Katie Brightwell found the back of the net for the game-winner midway through the second half.

Coach Floyd Hyke’s Warriors, who finish the year with a 13-5-2 record, took an early lead in the semifinals when Taylor Davidson scored at 17:49 of the opening half. Goalkeeper Lilly Gibson made five saves for Cottage Hill. The Warriors outshot St. James 24-10 in the match.

The Trojans, coached by Charlie Brightwell, will carry a 15-1-2 record into Saturday’s championship match.

Brightwell also assisted on the Trojans’ other goal – passing to teammate Kendal Wright early in the second half for a goal that tied the game at 1-all. Saint James goalkeeper Katie Irving also made nine saves.

Westminster-Oak Mountain 4, Susan Moore 0

The Knights cruised to the championship match, scoring three quick goals in the semifinal.

Jenny Grant put Westminster (16-5) on the board on a penalty kick just 1:44 into the match. Emily White added the second goal eight minutes later, and A.K. Black took a feed from Ella Davenport and scored from the top left corner of the net 70 seconds later for the 3-0 first-half lead.

Susan Moore got 19 saves from keeper Maricarmen Gonzalez as Westminster had 23 shots on goal to two for the Bulldogs.

L.C. Smith scored the final goal of the game for coach Joe Randal’s Knights at the 75:17 mark.

Nick Butts’ Susan Moore squad finishes the season at 22-2-1.

AHSAA 2023 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS

John Hunt Soccer Complex, Huntsville

Friday’s Semifinal Results, Schedule

GIRLS

CLASS 1A/3A

Westminster-Oak Mountain (16-5-0) 4, Susan Moore (22-2-1) 0

St. James (15-1-2) 2, Cottage Hill Christian (14-5-2) 1

CLASS 4A

Westminster Christian (13-4-1) vs. Westbrook Christian (16-4-1), Field 1, 1 p.m.

American Christian (12-4-0) vs. St. Michael Catholic (17-4-0), Field 2, 1 p.m.

CLASS 5A

East Limestone (20-2-1) vs. Springville (19-2-0), Field 1, 5 p.m.

Marbury (20-2-0) vs. Gulf Shores (18-9-0), Field 2, 5 p.m.

BOYS

CLASS 1A/3A

Tanner (20-5-0) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (11-9-2), Field 1, 11 a.m.

Tuscaloosa Academy (19-5-1) vs. St. Luke’s Episcopal (20-5-2), Field 2, 11 a.m.

CLASS 4A

Westminster Christian (16-6-0) vs, Westbrook Christian (11-9-3), Field 1, 3 p.m.

Oneonta (16-7-2) vs. Bayside Academy (15-1-3), Field 2, 3 p.m.

CLASS 5A

Guntersville (23-3-1) vs. John Carroll Catholic (18-7-3), Field 1, 7 p.m.

Elmore County (9-5-2) vs. Gulf Shores (22-6-0), Field 2, 7 p.m.

Thursday’s Semifinal Results

GIRLS

CLASS 6A

Homewood (22-5-1) 6, Randolph (12-4-1) 1

Montgomery Academy (17-3-1) 2, Briarwood Christian (16-5-1) 1 (2 OT, 4-2 in PK)

CLASS 7A

Sparkman (20-4-0) 1, Oak Mountain (21-4-0) 0

Auburn (14-4-0) 4, Fairhope (12-5-0) 0

BOYS

CLASS 6A

Fort Payne (25-2-2) 3, Homewood (18-5-2) 2

Montgomery Academy (21-2-1) 5, Calera (13-3-2) 0

CLASS 7A

Huntsville (14-8-4) 1, Oak Mountain (22-3-2) 0

Daphne (16-3-2) 1, Dothan (23-4-1) 0

AHSAA STATE SOCCER FINALS

SATURDAY

CLASS 7A Boys

Huntsville (14-8-4) vs. Daphne (16-3-2), Field 1, 9 a.m.

CLASS 6A Girls

Homewood (22-5-1) vs. Montgomery Academy (17-3-1), Field 2, 9 a.m.

CLASS 7A Girls

Sparkman (20-4-0) vs. Auburn (14-4-0), Field 1, 11 a.m.

CLASS 6A Boys

Fort Payne (25-2-2) vs. Montgomery Academy (21-2-1), Field 2, 11 a.m.

CLASS 1A/3A Girls

Westminster-Oak Mountain (16-5-0) vs. Saint James (15-1-2), Field 1, 1 p.m.

CLASS 4A Girls:  Field 2, 1 p.m.

CLASS 5A Girls:  Field 1, 3 p.m.

CLASS 1A/3A Boys: Field 2, 3 p.m.

CLASS 4A Boys: Field 1, 5 p.m.

CLASS 5A Boys: Field 2, 5 p.m.