With so much talented players returning from last year’s state championship squad, the St. James girls soccer team had high expectations heading into the start of the season, but it wasn’t as easy as it might have looked on paper.
“I think we had to split up into groups when we started,” senior forward Katie Brightwell said. “We started playing a new formation at the beginning of the season and it was different for us, so it took some time to get used to it, but I think everyone on our team adapted to it really well and really quickly, which is what we needed. We had a lot of girls playing with us last year, so we were able to keep the momentum from last season going. Plus, most of the girls on our team have a really high soccer IQ.”
The Trojans recorded three shutout wins in their first three games and finished the year with four shutouts in postseason play, including a 3-0 win over Donoho to give St. James its first girls soccer championship.
“I think this year has been the most fun because our team has really come together throughout the year,” Brightwell said. “We've found ways to fight for each other and play for each other. This is one of the most cohesive teams I've ever been on in high school, so to be able to achieve our end goal with them and win a state championship was better than if I was with guys I didn't know that well.”
“This team is one of the closest teams I've ever been on, other than when my sister was on the team.”
The team's success was similar to Brightwell's, as she scored 58 goals in her junior season and finished the year with a career total of 188 goals. By the time the 2024 season concluded, she held the Alabama High School Athletic Association's career goal record with 259 goals.
“It was a season I'll probably never forget because so much happened and it was fun and successful,” she said. “Going into the season I was like, 'If I can just get this much, I can be No. 1.' From the beginning of the season, people were telling me I had a chance. The only person putting pressure on myself was myself. But when I finally got there, it was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and it felt amazing just to be able to say I achieved my goal, because that's what I'd been working towards ever since I heard I could achieve it.
“To get 71 points in a season is amazing. Last year I was in the high 50s, maybe 60, so to get 70 points this year is amazing. I didn't even realize I had gotten 70 points until someone told me afterwards.”
Brightwell received overwhelming support from her coaching staff in winning consecutive Capital City Conference Player of the Year awards in girls soccer, and her father, St. James coach Charlie Brightwell, was the Capital City Conference Coach of the Year.
“We always told her to be a little nasty, and when you walk off the field, whether your opponent is ranked No. 1 or No. 200 in the country, walk off the field feeling like you were a top-three kid. Walk off the field knowing you were better than anybody and you were a top-three kid. And if you weren't, that's something to go back and work on,” Charlie Brightwell said.
“She's not the type to want the spotlight. Of course, her record brings her into the spotlight, but she's a kid who's always been about the team. Your natural talent will come through when it's needed.”
Montgomery Academy junior Brewer Welch was named Capital City Player of the Year in boys soccer after leading the Eagles to the quarterfinals of the 6A state playoffs with a team-high 25 goals and a team-high 12 assists.
First-year Montgomery Academy coach Guilherme Mondaini has been named the Capital City Conference Coach of the Year.
“Brewer has been a great leader for us on and off the field,” Mondaini said. “He has been our workhorse all season and is a great example for our younger players to look up to. I know his stats and performances are great, but what is most important and impressive to me as a coach is his attitude and passion for the game. It's very easy to coach Brewer.”
All Capital Conference
Men's Soccer Team
Forward – Brewer Welch, 5-11, junior, Montgomery Academy
Forward – Zachary Wilson, 6-0, Jr., Trinity
Forward – Ben Chitrick, 5-9, Jr., Catholic
Forward – Jacob Stubblefield, 5-10, freshman, Montgomery Academy
Midfielder — Beau Stewart, 5-11, junior, Trinity
Midfielder — John Allen Lashney, 5-11, Sr., Montgomery Academy
Midfielder – Atticus Clements, 6-1, sophomore, St. James
Midfielder — Ethan Yee, 5-4, junior, Montgomery Academy
Defender – Daniel Moffett, 5’10”, Sr., Alabama Christian
Defender — Thomas McLemore, 5-8, freshman, Trinity
Defender – Drew Phoenix, 5-7, sophomore, Montgomery Academy
Defender – Joseph Reeves, 5-10, Sr., Catholic
Goalkeeper — Jake Poling, 5-11, sophomore, St. James
Player of the Year – Brewer Welch, Montgomery Academy
Coach of the Year – Guilherme Mondaini, Montgomery Academy
Honorable Mention: Harrison Allen, 6-2, D, Sr., St. James; Tanner Bertgis, 5-10, MF, Jr., Montgomery Academy; Ryan Basile, 5-7, M, sophomore, Trinity; Ford Bass, 5-7, MF, sophomore, St. James; Stott Blancas, 5-4, F, Jr., Catholic; Todd Bonnell, 5-7, D, Jr., Catholic; Tillman Clements, 5-9, D, sophomore, Trinity; Jackson Clifford, 5-10, F, Jr., St. James; JP Costa, 5-9, M, Jr., Catholic; Juan Escalante, 5-7, F-MF, eighth grade, Catholic; Reeves Hall, 5-8, D, Fr., Montgomery Academy. Dylan Hines, 6-1, MF, sophomore, St. James; Timari Isner, 6-0, F, freshman, Catholic; Julian Lee, 5-8, GK, junior, Trinity; Chris Obenhaus, 5-8, D, junior, Montgomery Academy; Grant Phillips, 5-8, F, sophomore, St. James; Lawson Ross, 5-10, MF, junior, Trinity; Garrett Sanford, 6-3, GK, junior, Catholic; Nate Seeler, 5-8, MF, freshman, St. James; Holt Spear, 5-9, D, senior, Montgomery Academy; Hampton Welch, 5-7, GK, eighth grade, Montgomery Academy; Cole Williams, 6-4, D, senior, St. James; Michael Wilson, 5-2, F, sophomore, Trinity.
All Capital Conference
Women's Soccer Team
Forward – Mary Elizabeth Cole, 5’0”, Jr., Montgomery Academy
Forward – Katie Brightwell, 5-6, Sr., St. James
Forward – Hastings Avant, 5-5, Sr., Trinity
Forward – Erin Owens, 5-6, Jr., Catholic
Midfielder — Sophia Cho, 5-6, junior, Montgomery Academy
Midfielder — Ella Withwall, 5-5, senior, Trinity
Midfielder — Kirstin Daniels, 5-8, junior, Montgomery Academy
Midfielder – Mary Grace Hixson, 4-10, Sr., St. James
Defender – Caroline Waller, 5-9, Jr., Montgomery Academy
Defender – Hope McCain, 5-4, Sr., St. James
Defender – Hannah McKane, 5-2, Sr., St. James
Defender – Jair Dixon, 5-4, Sr., Catholic
Goalkeeper – Katie Irving, 5-7, Sr., St. James
Player of the Year — Katie Brightwell, St. James
Coach of the Year – Charlie Brightwell, St James
Honorable Mention: Natalie Barton, 5-8, F, Fr., St. James; Kayla Bledsoe, 5-2, D, sophomore, Montgomery Academy; KK Corley, 5-8, D, sophomore, St. James; Ava Crimi, 5-0, MF, sophomore, Catholic; Marcy Gregory, 5-7, GK, Sr., Alabama Christian; Arden Horn, 5-5, GK, Jr., Montgomery Academy; Leah Johnson, 5-4, D, sophomore, Alabama Christian; Chloe Jordan, 5-5, MF, Jr., Alabama Christian; Ragan King, 5-6, MF, Fr., St. James; Ivy Kocher, 5-4, D, Sr., Alabama Christian; Presley Lewis, 5-6, F, Sr., Alabama Christian; Joanna Marlowe, 5-8, F, Jr., Catholic; Levi McLemore, 5-4, D, 8th place, Trinity; Sana Shuford, 5-6, MF, Jr., St. James; Ella Hardington-Pemberton, 5-2, F, 8th place, Montgomery Academy; Anna Russo, 5-8, MF, Jr., Catholic; Kaitlyn Sutton, 5-3, MF, Jr., Alabama Christian; Haley Vance, 5-4, F, Sr., St. James; Heather Wolski, 5-6, GK, Jr., Catholic.