Madison Academy girls surge into soccer finals

HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy entered the state soccer tournament scoreless in three previous games at John Hunt Park, including against Donoho last season.

The Lady Mustangs checked that box and then some in their return trip to the Class 1A-3A final four and a rematch with the top-ranked, unbeaten Lady Falcons in 2025.

Regan Boyd struck first, putting Madison Academy ahead for good, Emily Mauser followed with a goal assisted by Boyd and the latter hit the back of the net again before halftime en route to a 5-0 win over Donoho at the Alabama High School Athletic Association championships Wednesday at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex.

“It felt like a huge relief because the past few games, we’ve kind of struggled to score,’’ Mauser said. “We’ve had low scoring games, and scoring that first goal was like, wow, it was just a relief off our shoulders.’’

The Lady Mustangs defeated Whitesburg 1-0 and Collinsville 3-2 on PKs in earlier rounds. Led by a group of senior midfielders–Boyd, Mauser, Lillian Killian, Mary Tanner Tidmore and Maile Cooper–Madison Academy (12-4-1) plays Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-0) for the state title Friday at 9 a.m.

The team is captained by Boyd, Killian and freshman center back Emma Olsen.

Against Donoho, which finished 21–1-0, Boyd and Mauser both scored a goal in the second half and Killian recorded an assist on the latter’s tally. Madison Academy dominated the action, notching a 15-5 advantage on shots taken and 11-3 on-goal. Freshman goalkeeper Eden Autry had three saves.

“We’ll celebrate today,’’ Lady Mustangs head coach Kelley Murphy said afterwards. “(Thursday), we’ll focus on the final game.’’

According to the players and coach, that focus will be turned inward.

“At this point,’’ Boyd said, “all we can do is work on us and play our best game and hopefully that’ll be enough.’’

Madison Academy was ranked No. 6 in the final regular season Coaches’ Rankings. Lee-Scott, ranked No. 7, got a first-half goal from AJ Spillman on an assist from Charlee Huddleston and the defense made it stand in a 1-0 win over second-ranked Houston Academy. .

Murphy maintained the game plan for the Lady Mustangs entering the championship clash will be of a personal nature.

“Like Regan said, we’re not focused on our opponent,’’ she said. “We’re focused on making sure that we play to our ability.’’