Sparkman Girls Soccer defeats Auburn to win state title
Sparkman’s Chelsey Curtis (99) battles for the ball in the State Final match against Auburn on Saturday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Check back later this afternoon for more photos to be added.
HUNTSVILLE — The Sparkman Lady Senators Soccer program made history on Saturday at John Hunt Park with a 2-1 defeat of Auburn to become the 7A State Champions.
The Lady Senators were powered by the junior Jayda Davis who collected two goals for Sparkman and 7A Playoff MVP honors.
Sparkman controlled much of the possession in the first half with speed and physical play that frustrated Auburn who could be seen yelling at each other.
Davis handed the Lady Senators the early 1-0 lead in the 14’ minute with a goal that hooked past the Auburn keeper.
The game began to swing after halftime as Auburn presented more of an attack with several shots that were handled by Sparkman senior goalie Audrey Edwards.
One shot attempt rocketed off of the Sparkman left goal post and was finished by Auburn’s Samantha Reitz in the 54’ minute to tie the game up at 1-1.
Suddenly the pressure was on Sparkman to answer and to quiet the offensive attack of the Lady Tigers.
Sparkman had the ball in their final third and Lady Senator Chelsea Curtis was taken down in the 58’ minute and a penalty shot was awarded.
It was another huge moment with the state title on the line and Jayda Davis had the ball at her feet.
“Honestly, I just thought wait until she moves and find the perfect spot,” Davis said.
“I’ve had Audrey to practice on since I was so young. It’s just wait until they move and play where they aren’t.”
As the clock ticked down, Sparkman battled and did all the right things to bleed the time out and control the game as Auburn struggled to tie it back up.
When the scoreboard hit zero, the girls in cardinal stormed the field in celebration.
“Whenever you talk about winning a state championship, it’s a marathon and not a sprint,” Sparkman head coach Samuel Tidmore said.
“Every team up here is deserving to win. We put the hours in. We have had a lot of setbacks, we have had a lot of adversity but we learned from those things.”
For more coverage of the State Champion Sparkman Girls Soccer team, be sure to pick up a copy of The Madison Record on Wednesday, May 17.
