By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
FLORETTE – Eric Vallejo and Kohl Sowder gave Brewer a solid 2-0 lead in the first half of the Patriots’ second round playoff match with Arab Saturday night.
The margin was more than enough for sophomore goalkeeper Chase Baker and the Brewer defense.
Baker finished with eight saves as Brewer secured its first-ever berth in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s state soccer tournament with the 2-0 win over the Knights.
The Patriots will open with John Carroll in the opening round of the Class 5A bracket Friday at 3:45 p.m. at the Huntsville Soccer Complex.
Arab finished the season with a 15-6-4 mark after reaching the playoffs for the first time in school history this season.
Brewer beat the Knights’ defense twice in the opening half and were able to control the pace of the game in the second half with the advantage.
The eighth-ranked Knights had lost just five times this season coming into the second round of the playoffs and the team had recorded some impressive defensive performances, including a shutout of No. 2 Decatur.
Vallejo scored the game’s first goal less than eight minutes into the contest when he beat Arab’s keeper on a shot to the left corner.
Sowder added to the lead with a goal 13 minutes into the opening half to give the Patriots all the offense they would need to wrap up a spot in the state tournament.
Jeremy Talley set up Sowder with a pass in front of the goal.
Brewer improved to 17-5-0 with the win over the Knights.
Now the Patriots will put their focus on beating top-ranked John Carroll in the Class 5A semifinals.