Added motivation

It’s been almost a year, but the Lady Rebels still aren’t over it.

Instead of leaving the 2-0 loss to McGill-Toolen in last spring’s Class 7A state championship in the rearview mirror, the Vestavia Hills High School girls soccer team is using the setback as a driving force to hopefully change the script this year.

“They did not put it behind them,” said coach Brigid Littleton. “That’s been talked about and that’s part of what motivates them. They’ve worked really hard in the fall and everything they did when they first started [in the spring].”

The Lady Rebels were unable to repeat as state champs last spring after winning it all in 2016. The team got past Oak Mountain, 2-0, in the physical 2017 semifinal contest, but were unable to overcome McGill in the finals.

Despite not reaching the top of the mountain for the second straight year, Littleton still chalked up the season as a success.

“Last year was a phenomenal season,” she said, “because we made it to state and everybody worked really hard. Great group of girls. I can’t say enough. We didn’t win state, but I felt we were capable and we were a good team. We just came up short at the end.”

But no one in the Lady Rebels program is satisfied with that result. Last year’s group advanced to the state’s final four for the second consecutive season and is aiming to get back there for a third straight time. 

That expectation is certainly realistic. 

The loss of Anna Hogewood, the reigning Birmingham Metro Player of the Year, is a big hole to replace, but the rest of the typical starting 11 is back. 

“Our entire team is back except for two seniors,” said Littleton. “They’re bringing back a lot of experience, leadership that they’ve learned over the years here and a good work ethic.”

Every coach will say that each team is different, and this year’s version of the Rebels will certainly come together in its own fashion, but the familiarity of most of the players should aide in Vestavia Hills’ progression on the pitch as the season goes.

“The good thing about it is everybody played last year,” Littleton said. “They all have the same style of play. They have the same attitude. They have the same grit and determination.”

Unlike last season, the Lady Rebels have an abundance of seniors with one last chance to taste the ultimate success of a state title. All six seniors are major contributors on the field, so Littleton will count on the group of Faith Hauberg, Mary Hogewood, Taylor Korn, Sara McCurry, Sophia Maria Sabri and Katherine Savage to take the team to that goal. The team also has eight juniors and three sophomores to round out the varsity roster.

“Everyone that’s returning, they have the same desires, the same dreams,” Littleton said. “That’s what’s going to bring us together.”

Littleton’s style of aggressive, positive, quick and demanding play has proven effective and a senior class that has great chemistry, and the sky seems to be the limit. 

Therefore, the Lady Rebels expect no less than to return home in late May with a blue map. 

“From the beginning, they set that goal and that’s what they’ve put all their effort into,” Littleton said.