By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
The Tigers are playoff bound. For only the second time since the program begin in 1990, the Hartselle High School boys' soccer team has reached the state playoffs. The Tigers clinched their postseason berth with a 2-1 win over Brewer.
Hartselle peppered the Brewer goal with 19 shots, while the Tiger defense limited the Patriots to only four shots on goal.
Ian Greenhaw and Patrick Whatley scored goals, while Nick Galloway had an assist.
For eight Tiger seniors, Greenhaw, Whatley, Galloway, Wesley Grove, Corey Holt, Jesse Phelps, Eric Gilbert and Nathan Payne it was the culmination of four years of hard work to reach the playoffs.
"Since they were freshman until now they've really worked toward this goal," Hartselle head coach Darrell Harris said.
"They had more confidence in themselves than most people on the outside had in them. They've played great this season and we've haven't been beating pushovers either to get to the playoffs."
Hartselle will travel to Huntsville May 3 for a first-round state playoff game.
Hartselle JV 3, Brewer JV 0
The Tiger junior varsity won 3-0 behind goals from Nathan Grove, Tyler Bennich and Michael Reed.
Hartselle 1, Athens 0
The Tigers improved to 6-2 in 5A, Section 8 play as they won a tough match with the Golden Eagles.
Greenhaw scored a goal in the second half on a throw-in assist from Chase Taylor.
Hartselle 7, Lee-Huntsville 2
The Tigers won with balanced scoring as six players scored. Greenhaw had two goals, while Aaron Burleson, Brian Hume, Mike Walker, Galloway and Stephan Weissenborn had one goal each.
Galloway and Daniel Owen had one save each in goal. Hume and Walker added one assist each.