alcons capture school’s first state girls’ soccer championship
St. John Paul II wins Class 4A Girls’
Title behind Cazzavillan’s two Goals
By Josh Bean | For the AHSAA
HUNTSVILLE – The third time proved to be the charm for St. John Paul II Catholic High School.
The Falcons (19-2-1) won the Class 4A girls’ soccer title on Friday, beating St. Luke’s Episcopal of Mobile at Huntsville’s Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex / John Hunt Park in the program’s fourth trip to the state tournament and third berth in the championship round.
“We finally got one,” SPJII coach Samuel Bennett said. “I don’t know how to act.”
SPJII senior Ella Cazzavillan scored twice and assisted on Lauren Altman’s goal in the championship match earning Class 4A girls’ State Championship MVP. She recorded three goals in the 9-0 semifinal y over Cherokee County.
It was a fitting end to Cazzavillan’s career, who set the school record for goals and assists – for boys and girls – earlier this season. She said winning the team championship – as SPJII won its four playoff games by a combined score of 26-3 – was more important than any individual accolade.
“It was a full circle moment,” said Cazzavillan, who mentioned how she and her senior teammates lost in the state title game as eighth graders. “It means so much to finally make it back and win it. I’m so happy I can help my team win this. … There’s no way to put into words and describe making school history.”
Bennett said his team’s unity led to the championship, using Cazzavillan’s humble attitude as an example.
“She’s the ultimate team player,” Bennett said of Cazzavillan. “She didn’t even know earlier this season how many goals she had. I told her she had No. 99, and I told her, ‘The next one you score is a big one,’ and she had no idea.”
St. Luke’s (16-7), coached by Austin Beatty, fell one win shy of capturing the school’s first AHSAA girls state title. For St. Luke’s,Presley Jackson scored on an assist from Lexie Romano.
St. Luke’s goalkeeper Ashlynn Turner made 15 saves, as the Falcons outshot the Wildcats 32-11. SPJII goalkeeper Catharine Fulda finished with five saves.
AHSAA 2025 STATE SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
JOHN HUNT SOCCER PARK/LORETTA P. SPENCER COMPLEX
FRIDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 1A/3A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Lee-Scott Academy (17-4-1) 3, Madison Academy (12-5-1) 2 (2 OT, Lee-Scott wins shootout 3-1)
CLASS 5A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Westminster Christian (19-3-1) 2, St. Michael Catholic (17-3-4) 1
CLASS 1A/3A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Collinsville (22-3-1) 5, Tuscaloosa Academy (21-6-0) 2
CLASS 4A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
St. John Paul II Catholic (19-1-2) 3, St. Luke’s Episcopal (16-7-0) 1
CLASS 5A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Guntersville (24-4-1) vs. Indian Springs (17-4-3), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
CLASS 4A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oneonta (12-4-2) vs. Westminster-Oak Mountain (19-5-1), Friday, May 9, 2 p.m.
SATURDAY’S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCHES
CLASS 6A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mountain Brook (16-2-1) vs. Briarwood Christian (14-7-0), Sat., May 10, 9 a.m.
CLASS 7A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Oak Mountain (29-0) vs. Montgomery Academy (18-5-2), Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m.
7A GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Vestavia Hills (20-2-4) vs. Auburn (20-3-1), Sat., May 10, 11:30 a.m.
CLASS 6A BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Southside (21-5-1) vs. Spanish Fort (21-3-4), Saturday, May 10, 11:30 a.m.
