By Scott Nickerson
Elmore Autauga News
The Stanhope Elmore Mustangs boys’ and girls’ soccer team clinched the Class 6A Area 4 championship on Friday night with victories over Wetumpka.
The SEHS boys’ team has been ranked in the Top 10 of Class 6A for most of the season, with perhaps their most impressive victory coming against a Mountain Brook team that is currently ranked #2 in Class 6A. They also made history by defeating Opelika in the first ever game played at the brand new 17 Springs Stadium. Senior Thomas Richardson scored the first ever goal in the stadium’s history.
The Mustangs beat area foe Percy Julian by the mercy rule twice before facing off against Wetumpka in their first matchup which took place in the 17 Springs Stadium in March. Stanhope Elmore thoroughly dominated the match behind a hat trick from senior Jay Myers, as the Mustangs cruised to an 8-0 win. The Mustangs traveled to Wetumpka this past Friday for the final area game of the season, and again shutout the Indians, winning 3-0 and finishing with an unbeaten area record.
“We are proud of our varsity teams and their diligence to meet their goal of winning the area,” said SEHS Boys’ Head Coach Richie Beyer. “The varsity boys went undefeated in the four area games, scoring 32 goals while only giving up a single goal.”
As area champions, the Mustangs will host the Russel County Warriors in the 1st round of the Class 6A playoffs next Thursday, April 24, at the 17 Springs Stadium. Start time is approximately 7:15 – 7:30 p.m.
“The opportunity to host a playoff game in our inaugural season in the 17 Springs Stadium will make this an even more special experience for this team and especially our seniors. One opponent at a time and taking in every moment of this journey is the message that we have reiterated to our players, especially our seniors,” said Beyer.
The SEHS girls’ area championship came down to a coin toss. Both Wetumpka and SEHS defeated Percy Julian by more than four goals, which is the maximum number of goals credited by the Alabama High School Athletic Association.
In the first matchup, Wetumpka and SEHS went to penalty kicks after being tied 1-1. The Indians won the penalty kicks and clinched the victory. AHSAA rules state that the team that wins in overtime is credited with one goal in the point differential, so when Stanhope Elmore won 2-1 in Wetumpka on Friday, the point differential for both teams was even. The tiebreakers against area foe Percy Julian were also even, which led to the coin toss that went in the Mustangs’ favor.
The area championship is the first in seven years for the Lady Mustangs’ soccer team.
“Winning the area was our initial goal of the season,” said SEHS Girls Varsity Coach Eric Peterson. “As a coach, it has been great to see the incredible growth of this set of girls, to go from a 3-win season last year to 10 wins and an area championship. For the playoffs, we want to keep winning but focus on one game at a time.”
The Lady Mustangs will also host the Russell County Warriors in the 1st Round of the Class 6A playoffs next Thursday, April 24, at 5:30 p.m.
