AHSAA Boys’ Class 5A Soccer Semifinals
A.J. Shumate records Hat Trick to
Lead Guntersville in Class 5-1 semifinal
HUNTSVILLE – Guntersville High School senior A.J. Shumate scored three goals Wednesday to lead the Wildcats into Friday’s Class 5A boys’ state finals with a 5-1 win over Boaz.
Shumate, who has 48 goals on the season, became the AHSAA’s all-time boys’ soccer scoring leader earlier this season. He now has 210 goals in his storied career for Guntersville (24-4-1), coached by Zachary Ross.
The Wildcats took a quick 1-0 lead at 14:31 in the first half on a goal by Chris Escobedo. Shumate nailed his first goal just 23 seconds later on an assist from Kalun Cobb. He followed with his second and third goals at 30:05 and 51:55, his final goal set up by an assist from Brandon Manganaris.
Boaz got its goal at 58:47 by Jonthan Garcia. Guntersville closed out its scoring with Managanaris scoring at 70:06.
Guntersville goalkeeper Slaide Mohr had three saves, and Boaz keeper Licio Chavez had two saves.
Guntersville will face Indian Springs, a 3-1 winner over Faith Academy in the other 5A semifinal, in Friday’s championship match at 2 p.m. The Wildcats will be vying for their first boys’ state soccer title, and Indian Springs will be striving to win its sixth state crown.
