AHSAA Soccer Spotlight
Ethan Morales, James Posey & Mackenzie Titus headline this week’s AHSAA Soccer Spotlight
Montgomery, AL – Houston Academy soccer forward Ethan Morales and Andalusia center midfielder James Posey turned in spectacular efforts last week to claim this week’s boys’ AHSAA Boys’ Soccer Spotlight. Chelsea goalkeeper Mackenzie Titus earned the AHSAA Girls’ Spotlight thanks to her outstanding play at the net in a 1-0 win over Homewood.
Morales, a 5-11 senior, set the AHSAA state record for goals scored in a single match when he netted 12 goals in a 17-0 win over New Brockton in a 1A-3A Region 2 match. The previous record (9) was shared by three players. Tyrell Price of Chilton County accomplished the feat in a 13-0 win over Thomasville in 2019; Cole Rickles of New Hope in 12-4 win over Priceville in 2011; and Northridge’s Will Debell in a match in 2006.
Posey set the AHSAA record for most assists in a match with seven to lead Andalusia (13-3-0) to an 11-3 win over Dale County. The previous record (6) was set by Murphy High School’s Desmond Ibie in 2013.
The Houston Academy Raiders also set a state record for assists in a match with 16 in the New Brockton win. Lucius Renshaw had four assists, Greg Sexton had three, Conner Henexson and Morales had two each while Braden Phillipps, Thomas Baron, Nate Selig, Andrew Gil and Charles Knowles had one assist each. Phillipps also scored three goals in the contest.
As for Posey, his coach Ray Bozeman said, “James is a phenomenal young man. He is incredibly smart and thinks through every situation. There is playing unselfish and there is James. Plenty of times I would think he was going to take a shot on goal but would give the ball up instead. That can be good and not so good at times, but I will never fault a kid for unselfish play. James is extremely humble, and I could not be more proud of him.”
Titus, a 5-foot-11 senior heading to Mississippi State, had several key saves as Chelsea shut out Homewood 1-0 in Class 6A, Area 9 play to snap the Patriots 11-match winning streak. The winning goal came on a long shot from junior Jillian Francis early in the match. Her kick started from just inside the midfield line and dropped into the net approximately 45 yards away. Homewood came out on top 2-0 in first match between the two squads earlier this season.
Other top performances reported:
BOYS SOCCER
SETH ACTON, OAK MOUNTAIN: Scored four goals in Oak Mountain’s 10-0 win over Tuscaloosa County.
ELIJAH HOPKINS, PRICEVILLE: Scored four goals, including the game-winner in overtime to lead the Bulldogs to a 5-4 win over Fairview. Goalkeeper Carson Taylor had 29 goals in two matches for Priceville.
TOPHER LaRUSSA, JOHN CARROLL CATHOLIC: Scored four goals and had three assists this week in a win over Pinson Valley and a loss to Spain Park.
GIRLS’ SOCCER
ANNA TOWRY, VESTAVIA HILLS: Scored all three goals in a 3-1 win over Spain Park as the Class 7A Rebels won their 11th straight match.
NATALIE CHAPARUN, HUNTSVILLE: Scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Cullman as the Panthers improved to 19-1.
AMY CLAIRE LANKFORD, SATSUMA: Scored four goals and had two assists in the Gators’ 7-0 win over Mobile Christian.
MAILIN WEEKLY, WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN: Scored seven goals for the week, three against Mae Jemison and four against Madison County.
PEYTON BOWMAN, BUCKHORN: The Lady Bucks goalkeeper had 30 saves in three matches – all close setbacks to Athens (2-0), Hazel Green (2-0) and Hartselle (4-2).
ANNA KATHERINE HOPKINS, PRICEVILLE: Had four goals and four assists in a 10-0 win over New Hope as the Bulldogs (10-4-0) clinched the Class 4A/5A Area 13 title with a perfect 7-0 slate.
BRANDY HERNANDEZ, WEST MORGAN: Led the Rebels to two wins with seven goals and five assists.
