Soccer players achieve spots on all-state teams

The Russellville High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams are well-represented on the 2020 Alabama Soccer Coaches Association all-state team.

The all-state squad was voted on by coaches after the shortened 2020 AHSAA season came to an end because of the coronavirus pandemic. Eight Golden Tigers received honors in class 4A-5A.

Players on the all-state teams were grouped as first team, second team and honorable mention in classes 7A, 6A, 4A-5A and 1A-3A in Alabama.

RHS goalkeeper Briana Ramirez made first team on the 4A-5A girls’ roster for her outstanding work on defense for RHS. Ramirez was a senior on the 2020 Russellville team, a multi-sport standout who accepted an offer to play volleyball for Mississippi University for Women.

Sophomore forward Kathy Sanchez was also recognized for her playing skills, receiving honorable mention.

The 4A-5A boys’ all-state team includes a large number of Golden Tigers.

Defender Andres Campos was a senior in 2020, and he and sophomore midfielder Jonathan Salgado made the second team.

Four RHS standouts received honorable mentions: Sophomore forwards Juan Cano and Vicente Machic both received the recognition, along with junior goalkeeper Daniel Martinez and senior midfielder David Baltazar.

Martinez was also named to the 2020 Alabama North-South All-Star soccer team that was scheduled to play this summer in Montgomery as part of All-Star Sports Week. Those events have been cancelled for this year because of the pandemic.

The 2020 season was shaping up to be a successful one for Russellville coaches Trey Stanford and Fred Ambrosio and the boys’ and girls’ teams.  The boys were off to a 5-0-1 start when the season ended, sitting atop the Class 4A-5A Area 14 standings with a 3-0 mark after defeating West Morgan. The Lady Golden Tigers started the year with a 2-1 area record.