James Clemens downs Hoover, claims first area championship
MADISON- When the James Clemens girls’ soccer team started the season, few believed they could win Area 8 Class 7A. That would mean a sweep of crosstown rival and two time reigning area champion Bob Jones. But the wins started to pile up including a sweep of Bob Jones. In fact, the Jets are 5-0 in area play and finish against Buckhorn next Monday, a team they defeated 10-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule.
“It was gratifying to the seniors sweeping Bob Jones and going undefeated in area play,” said James Clemens coach Erin Riddle. “I’ve relied on this senior group going on four years. They have built us up to where we are now. We are playing well as a unit and we are solid from the back line forward and it gives us the confidence to attack.”
It all starts with Jets seniors Kiersten Thorum and Jmay Bedingfield who play midfield and allow the forwards to attack. Rachel Bradberry, Aubrie McFall, Nishma Patel, and Emma Houssain all press the action rotating in and out of the front line. Hannah Swager and Laura Shadoan get lots of playing time as defenders.
Thursday night James Clemens faced a new challenge as Hoover came to Madison City Schools Stadium.
“This is the first time we have had a Birmingham area team travel to play us and the girls were really excited to play them. We lost to them 1-0 last year.”
Against Hoover the Jets exerted their will pushing the ball down the field and scoring within five minutes as Bradberry showed her speed and contol beating a Hoover defender on side right and scored on a shot off the far post.
Bradberry is the teams leading scorer. Hannah Smid, currently injured was the team leader. Lily Wright is also among the team scoring leaders.
Wright was strong against Hoover with several shots on goal. Patel got the Jets second goal for a 2-0 halftime lead as the Jets went on to win 4-0.
Adding to the strong defense is senior goalkeeper Nicole Guay who is tall and athletic. She gets tested daily in practice by her teammates.
James Clemens has made the playoffs the last two years as the second place team and lost to Huntsville both times. This year the Jets will open at home against likely opponent Grissom.
They would need two wins in the playoffs to make the final four teams in 7A to get to play in the AHSAA State Soccer Championships at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
