RUSSELLVILLE-Had you been at Russellville Golden Tiger Stadium on Thursday evening, you might be forgiven if you believed the Golden Tiger football team was having an impromptu scrimmage, or maybe even had scheduled a post-postseason contest.
Indeed, a football team was on the field for Russellville on Thursday—well, futbol to be exact--as the Golden Tigers opened their inaugural season of soccer with a 4-0 shutout of Haleyville.
Head coach Trey Stanford admitted that he was surprised—and extremely happy—with the large turnout, with a boisterous home crowd that nearly filled the home side stands for the game.
“We probably underestimated the crowd tonight,” said the first-year skipper. “It excites me, especially seeing what will happen as we get into our region schedule and on toward the playoffs.”
Russellville was supposed to open its inaugural season on the road against the Tanner Rattlers on Tuesday of this week, but both schools’ boys basketball teams were playing in sub-regional games, and the soccer matches were postponed until March 9. This allowed the Golden Tigers to open their season at the friendly confines of Russellville Golden Tiger Stadium.
Years from now, the record will show that Andy Alonso, a junior striker, scored the first goal in Golden Tiger history on a left-footed shot into the right corner of the Lions’ goal. Alonso, who thrilled the crowd with a dizzying display of footwork and ball-control skills, was joined in the scoring column by Samuel Bahena and Marvin Betancourt in the first half to give Russellville a commanding 3-0 halftime lead.
Cedric Mojica closed out the scoring with a curling shot into the bottom right corner of the net to make the final tally 4-0 in favor of the homestanding Golden Tigers.
The Lions never seriously threatened the Golden Tiger defense, which allowed goalkeeper Jesus Betencourt to earn a shutout in his first game in net. The Russellville midfield, led by Alonso, Mojica, Betancourt and Bahena, as well as Jorge Bahena and Daniel Carranza, was rampant, forcing the visiting Lions on their heels.
Russellville had several other shots on goal, and a few others that veered just outside. Stanford admitted his team missed some shots but also was pleased with how his charges came out for their first game.
“I knew our guys would come out and play extremely hard,” said Stanford. “I wasn’t surprised at how well we came out and played.”
The crowd at Golden Tiger Stadium mostly stayed until the end, and the team was afforded a standing ovation as they walked off the field for the first time with a victory under their belt.
In the first game of the evening, the Russellville girls’ team suffered a 3-0 defeat to Haleyville, but even in defeat, Stanford was able to find something to feel good about.
“I thought our girls played extremely well, considering they haven’t really played before,” said Stanford. “They got after it and did a lot of good things.”
A bright spot for the Russellville girls’ team was goalkeeper Briana Ramirez, who stopped more than 10 shots on the night, with several being from point blank range.
“I thought Briana Ramirez was outstanding tonight,” said Stanford.
Russellville will compete in Class 4A-5A, Area 16 with Ardmore, East Limestone, West Limestone and Danville. [As opposed to seven different classifications for AHSAA sports such as football, basketball and baseball, soccer in the state of Alabama is divided into four classifications—1A-3A, 4A-5A, 6A, and 7A.]
The Golden Tigers will play their next two games at home—on Tuesday night, February 21 against Tanner, and then in an area game on Thursday, February 23 against the Ardmore Tigers. Kickoff for the girls games are scheduled for 5 p.m., with the boys’ starting afterwards.
