The Class 6A Area 4 title falls into new hands.
Stanhope Elmore was crowned champs after taking a 2-1 win over the cross-town rival Wetumpka. Which was all according to plan to Stanhope Elmore head coach Jacob Sowell.
“We had a goal this year that we would be area champs, and we just did that,” Sowell said. “So we accomplished our first goal. This is a team that only won three games last year, and we've now won 10. So we've had a really good season, quite a turnaround for the girls.”
The Mustangs capitalized early in the game, thanks to a first-half goal from Addison Wright to put them in the driver's seat of the match. Kaydence Wineberg extended that lead with a goal of her own in the opening minutes of the second half, but Sowell knew Wetumpka had it in them to make a comeback.
“In soccer, momentum changes in an instant, as soon as another team ties it up or scores a goal, so we needed to get a little bit of distance between us and them, and so (Kaydence's goal) helped a lot,” Sowell said. “Still got worried when the (penalty kick) was called, and we kind of fell out of formation there for a few minutes, and we started playing kind of kickball.”
Although Wetumpka fell to second in the area, coach Katie Carey was proud of her team’s resilience even when faced with injuries throughout the lineup.
“They played their hearts out,” Casey said. “We had a lot of injuries lately, but I still think they gave it their all. I'm in awe of them for playing the way they did, the way they were hurt.”
The playoff window is not closed for the Indians however. Wins over Percy Julian earlier in the year cement their spot as the No. 2 seed going forward. Even so, Casey wants her girls to continue to play like they have all season, especially overcoming the adversity they’ve faced all year.
“Just keep on playing with their heart, that's what they're giving it right now and I'm very proud of them,” Casey said. “So we've had a new season, new coaches, a lot of change, but they're still giving it their all, so (I’m) proud of them.”
The same can be said for Sowell and Stanhope Elmore as far as effort goes. He still wants to see them clean up little details before heading to the playoffs, but is excited with the growth he’s seen for his group.
“The thing you saw (Friday) is you saw the passing,” Sowell said. “One of the biggest things we've been working on is not just passing; it's the next step, moving to space yourself. And then also move into space to drag other players away even when they don't have the ball. And so like those more advanced tactical concepts we've been working on I saw a lot of that tonight. It was really good to see.”
