Spartans, Rebels Win Class 6A State Titles
Defense ruled the day for the 2013 Alabama 6A state champions.
Mountain Brook (22-3-2) allowed only one goal and posted four shutouts in postseason play to win the first championship. The Spartans blanked #1 Huntsville (1-0) in the semifinals and Oak Mountain (2-0) in the title match at Huntsville’s John Hunt Soccer Complex.
Vestavia Hills (29-1-1) and Oak Mountain met for the boys title and played to a 0-0 draw in the title match with the Rebels coming away with the championships by winning a 4-2 shootout. VHHS blanked Sparkman 5-0 in the semifinals.
The stout defense wasn’t a surprise, as both teams had been very stingy all season long. Mountain Brook, behind goalkeeper Liz Moore, allowed only 15 goals in 27 games, while Vestavia allowed only nine while registering 24 shutouts over the Rebels’ 31 games.
After a scoreless first half, Mountain Brook scored two in the second half to give the program its fourth girls state soccer championship, and the school’s 150th state title in all sports.
Kayla Dowler was named the game’s MVP, and scored the Spartans’ second goal. Laura Rice scored the first goal, which turned out to be the game-winner.
Nothing But Close Games
Vestavia and Oak Mountain met again. Another 0-0 draw and another shootout. The Rebels finished four shots from the penalty mark and won their first boys state championship since 1995 and third overall.
That it came in the final against a rival made victory only that sweeter.
Goalkeeper Marvin Castellanos, who is headed to Birmingham Southern in the fall, anchored the defense, making three saves in the run of play and one stop in the shootout. He was named the game’s MVP.
Oak Mountain and Vestavia Hills played four times this season. The Rebels only loss was a 2-1 setback to the Eagles during the regular season. The game was decided by a 5-4 shootout.
VHHS won the early-season Lakeshore Shootout with a 5-4 shootout over the Eagles. The only game that didn’t end in a draw was Vestavia’s 5-1 victory in early March.
The Rebels erased two years of disappointment with the trophy. Vestavia Hills was ranked #1 in the nation in 2011 and entered the state tournament with a 30-0 record before losing 1-0 to Oak Mountain. Oak Mountain also eliminated the Rebels after a 2-1 playoff result last season.