Bob Jones kicks off soccer season
Kaitlyn McWhirter of Bob Jones goes after the ball against Mountain Brook
After two weeks of practice, Bob Jones girl’s soccer players were glad to see any opponent for a change. Even if it was the top-ranked team in the state, Mountain Brook. The Spartans are a favorite to win a state championship and showed why as they jumped out to a 2-0 lead and held off a Bob Jones charge in the final minutes to claim a 3-2 win in the season opener for both teams.
The Patriots are playing with a roster full of newcomers and that includes head coach Tony Schroeder. It is important for the team to get some games under their belt before they get into Class 6A, Area 14 play against Lee-Huntsville and James Clemens.
Among the returning players are last year’s leading scorer Hannah Snoddy, veteran defender Jenna Cecil, forward Darby Rasch, and Ellen Bruno who has already signed to play in college.
“For a first game this was good, I saw a lot of good things from the girls,” Schroeder said. “They’re getting used to each other and this was a good start. We will go up from here. If some of those shots fall we could have won this game.”
Shroeder pointed out that Mountain Brook has eleven seniors on their team. He has four on his roster.
He has two juniors playing goalkeeper. Lauren Steil played the first half and Cassie Russell the second.
“They did well. They are adjusting to getting varsity shots on them and playing at this level. They will be fine,” Schroeder said.
Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Bob Jones got a goal from Hannah Snoddy on an assist from Darby Rasch to make it 2-1. Mountain Brook scored on a free kick to go up 3-1 and Snoddy struck again in the final minutes.
“There are some things we need to work on but outside of the score it was a good start to the season,” Schroeder said.
Last season Bob Jones finished 14-9 and lost to Huntsville in the second round of the state playoffs. Oak Mountain is the defending state champion. Bob Jones will play at Oak Mountain on March 8.
Bob Jones next home game is against Spain Park on Wednesday Feb. 27. Their first area game is on Tuesday March 5 against Lee-Huntsville at MCSS.
