In the end, heartbreak for Bob Jones girl’s soccer team
Huntsville- From the road running alongside Huntsville High it looked like just another soccer game. But on the other side of the fence the stakes could not have been higher. The two top teams in Class 6A, Section 4 squaring off like two prize fighters. For one, the season would end, for the other a clear path to the cherished AHSAA State Soccer Championships.
It was a playoff game that won’t soon be forgotten by those in attendance. It was decided only seconds into overtime. Bob Jones, leading 1-0 most of the second half, trying to hang on in the closing minutes. Huntsville, pushed to the brink of elimination in a year when they are the favorites to win a state title.
When it was over, Huntsville, the top-ranked team in the state had snatched victory from Bob Jones in the closing minutes and went on to claim a 2-1 win in overtime. Huntsville now advances to a game against Mountain Brook with the winner going to the championships.
After a scoreless first half, Bob Jones had the wind at their back and was clearly the more aggressive team early in the second half. Katt Baugh narrowly missed a header that would have given the Lady Patriots a one goal lead. The next time she got the chance Baugh would not miss as she controlled a deflection and nailed a kick from right in front of the goal at 30:35 to give Bob Jones a 1-0 lead.
The Patriots got great defense from Chandler Austin who twice chased down Huntsville forwards who had breakaway shots. Huntsville, who had lost only one game all season, became increasingly desperate.
As the clock slipped under 10 minutes, Jaime Leeds forced a wide shot on goal. The Lady Patriots were in position to pull off the upset. But Huntsville kept the pressure on goalkeeper Melissa Boylen who saved a point blank shot on goal at 8:30. But only a minute later Huntsville was on the doorstep again and this time got the ball past Boylen for the equalizer at 7:12.
“Huntsville employed a bunch of forwards in about the last 10 minutes of the game,” said Bob Jones coach Patrick Jacklin. “I saw what they were doing and thought our regular defense could control it but we couldn’t. That was my fault.”
Huntsville was on the attack again in the final minute. The Patriots Jenna Cecil had to intercept a crossing pass in front of the Bob Jones goal as time expired in regulation.
“They put about 5 strikers up there and we just didn’t catch it,” said Baugh, who added that she knew Huntsville would mount a late charge to do whatever they had to do to score and get the game tied up.
“It felt good to be ahead but it was scary and nervous because we knew how good they were. We still had to play our heart out even when we were up,” Baugh added.
Huntsville won on a free corner kick by Lily Khodabandah that found the mark less than a minute into the first overtime.
“It was a corner kick that bent directly into the goal,” coach Jacklin said. “The wind helped it a little bit. It is a heartbreaker. I thought the girls played their hearts out.”
One of the girls who fought to the end was Baugh who played her last competitive game of soccer. She is headed to Auburn University next year.
The senior forward was the last of the Bob Jones’ teary-eyed girls’ soccer players to make the long walk across the field to waiting family and fans.
“I love all the seniors,” she said. “We were really close. They’re great soccer players. I couldn’t ask for anyone better. It’s my last season ever and I’m glad I can end it with this team.”
