HARTSELLE – Ethan Gossett scored three goals, including a 25-yard direct kick 1:25 into overtime, to lift Athens to a 4-3 Class 5A, Section 8 win on the road at 10th-ranked Hartselle.

The Golden Eagles (5-2-0) never got the lead until Jared Hill passed the ball to Alfredo Martinez who rocketed a shot past the Tiger goalkeeper, giving the Golden Eagles a 3-2 lead late in the second half.

Nikolas Gajardo, who scored all three Hartselle goals, tied the game on a penalty kick with 2:35 left in the second half.

Gajardo gave Hartselle a 1-0 lead on a penalty kick with 8:51 left in the first half.

Early in the second, a penalty kick from Gossett tied the game 1-1. Another from Gajardo put Hartselle back in front minutes later, and a second penalty kick form Gossett with 9:45 to play tied the game 2-2.

With 27 minutes to play in regulation, senior goalkeeper Matt Bailey was reinjured in a collision with a Hartselle striker. He would be replaced by Braedon Hilliard.

For the match, Athens took 14 shots on goal, while Hartselle took 11. Each team took two corners.

Both Bailey and Hilliard made key saves for AHS. Tom Woodroof, Matt Jackson, Davis Simmons, and Daniel Norwood each played well from their defensive positions.

The Golden Eagles visit the Mars Hill Bible School Panthers on Tuesday.



Girls Match

Athens 8, Hartselle 3

Brooke Daron scored five goals and assisted on two more to lead the Lady Eagles to a come-from-behind win over the Lady Tigers.

Tied 3-3 at halftime, Daron scored three goals, including one on an assist from Hannah McAndrew to lead a second-half dominance by the Lady Eagles. Maggie Armstrong added a seventh goal on an assist from Chelsea Ottenfeld, and Daron added a goal on a penalty kick.

Initially Hartselle took the lead 2-0, but Daron fed McAndrew for one goal, then scored herself to tie the game. Hartselle went back in front 3-2, but Daron fed McAndrew again to tie the game, 3-3 at halftime.

Hartselle took 10 shots against Athens’ goal keeper Julee Powers, but no goals were scored.

Defensively she was helped by Leah Beth Downs and Kelsey McDonough. Midfielder Lara Dean, and Adalene Woodroof played strong.



JV Boys Game

Athens 3, Hartselle 0

Brandon Solomon scored two goals, and Noe Romero recorded the shutout in goal for the Athens JV team.

Drew Bowman had two assists, including feeds to both David Solomon and Brandon Solomon for a 2-0 halftime lead.

David Solomon fed Brandon Solomon for Athens’ final goal in the second half.

Athens took 12 shots on goal, while surrendering only three. AHS also led in corners taken 5 to 1.

Defenders Jaime Armenta, Chris Bacon, Zach Brown, Scott Clem, and Andrew McCartney each played well in preserving the shutout.



Tuesday’s matches

Athens 3, Brewer 1

Gossett had two goals, sandwiched around another from Javier Serrato, in a 16-minute stretch of the first half to help the Golden Eagles open Class 5A, Section 8 play with a 3-1 win on the road at Brewer.

With 23:16 left in the first half, midfielder Gossett made a run past three Patriot defenders, and placed a shot into the right corner of the goal. At the 10:40 mark, Serrato put Athens ahead 2-1, on an assist from Jeremy Brown. Three minutes later, Gossett scored on another run.

Despite several offensive pushes, neither team would score in the second half. Hilliard, starting his second match for the injured Matt Bailey, made several quality saves to secure the victory.

For the match, Athens took 12 shots, while allowing six. Brewer took five corners and Athens took two.

With the win, Athens improved its record to 4-2-0 overall and 1-0 in section play.



JV Game

Athens 3, Brewer 0

Romero and Ross Evans combined on the shutout for the Athens JV team, which improved to 2-0-1 with three win.

The Golden Eagles took 18 shots on goal, while allowing only four.

Nathanael Hilliard and Solomon scored first half goals, and Tyler Vaughn added a goal in second half action. Alex Hambright and Bowman were credited with assists in the match.



Girls matches

Athens 6, Brewer 2

Daron scored five goals, while Powers played strong in goal to lead the Lady Eagles to a win in their Class 5A, Section 8 opener on the road.

Dean, Ottenfeld, Branon Curry and McAndrew each had an assist as Athens built a 4-1 halftime lead.

Daron added her fifth goal on a penalty kick, and Ottenfeld tallied the final goal on an assist from Maggie Armstrong.



Sparkman 4, Athens 2

Brooke Daron scored two goals, and Lauren Polk stopped many shots, but the Lady Senators made four shots count in their win.

Downs and McDonough aided Athens on defense, while McAndrew played strong at midfield.