HUNTSVILLE – It was a perfect day on the pitch as the Cullman Bearcats took to the Brendan O’Halloran Field Saturday morning to take in the Daphne Trojans in the 6A State Soccer Final.
“I can’t put it into words,” said head soccer coach Casey Harbin immediately after winning the 6A Soccer State Championship. “This is all about them.”
The Bearcats spent the majority of the first half on their side of the field, content to control the ball and looking for players to make runs out of the backfield. The Cats were able to put shots on goal including a beautiful shot from Miguel Tizapa-Robles that found the back of the net, but unfortunately for Cullman he was flagged for offsides and the goal was waived off. However, Tizapa-Robles would have his revenge just 11 minutes later as he set up teammate Guilherme Albuquerque who blasted a shot to the top of the net, over the outstretched Daphne keeper for the goal and the 1-0 lead for Cullman and that is where the score would stand as the two teams went to the half.
Down but not out, Daphne came out of the 10-minute break with renewed purpose and vigor. They aggressively attacked the Cullman defense and five and a half minutes into the second half it paid off. Jackson Barber of Daphne found himself deep in the Cullman backfield, two yards outside the box when he faked a run to the right and back to the left and put the shot past a diving Kip Potter and to the back right corner of the net to tie the game at 1-1.
“We have really been tested in these playoffs,” was the response of Harbin when asked about the persistence of his team. “I think it has really helped us.”
After giving up the tying goal, it was Cullman who went on the offensive, taking shot after shot. The best chance for a goal came with 30 seconds left in regulation. Isaac Rodriguez found himself one on one with the keeper but could not find the net as Harrison Comerford smothered the shot and forced a golden goal overtime period.
With just five minutes in the forced overtime period, the Cats had to work fast. They looked to make the perfect run and set up a shot and they did just that.
“I was honestly trying to cross it to Peyton (Brown),” Tizapa-Robles said of the winning shot. However, it was his foot that won the game.
Tizapa-Robles set up the cross from the near side, looking for his teammate, but the wind caught the kick and curved it into the net for the goal and the win. The shot would earn him the tournament MVP award, bit more importantly, it helped to earn the 2016 6A Boy’s State Soccer Championship for the Cullman Bearcats.
“It’s so hard not to think back to all of those guys that came here before them and came up empty handed,” spoke Harbin. “I have seen my share of those faces. I am so glad this team does not have to join that class. They get to join the class of 2002 and walk away with the trophy.”
The Cullman Bearcats took a total of 13 shots on goal, seven in the first half, five in the second half and the all-important one in the overtime period. Daphne managed just four shots that were on target, one in the first half and the last three coming in the second half.
Albuquerque led Cullman with five total shots, three on goal. Tizapa-Robles took three shots (one on goal) as did Isaac Rodriguez (two on goal). Seth Andrews had a single shot that was on goal. Albuquerque and Tizapa-Robles had the two goals for Cullman.
Henok Lee, Jackson Barber and Christopher Cory each had a single shot for Daphne, with Barber's shot being the only goal for the Trojans.
Potter of Cullman and Harrison Comerford of Daphne each had two saves, respectively.
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