No. 6 Russellville falls in semifinals after penalty kick shootout vs. top-ranked Springville

The No. 6-ranked Russellville High School boys’ varsity soccer team was eliminated from the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs Wednesday after losing 2-1 (2-1 PK) to top-ranked Springville in the semifinal round.

In the semis, which were played at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, the Golden Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the first half before Springville equalized late in the second half to send the match to a determining penalty kick shootout after two scoreless overtime periods.

Russellville’s route to the final four came through 6-0 and 2-0 shutout wins over Westminster Christian and Scottsboro in the first two rounds and then a thrilling 4-3 victory over defending state champions and No. 2-ranked Guntersville in the quarterfinals.

Against Guntersville on May 2, the Golden Tigers, playing at home, were up 2-1 at halftime after goals from Roman Machic and Jose Tristan.

Machic’s goal, assisted by Tristan in the third minute, was a screamer from around 25 yards out into the top right corner which the Wildcat goalkeeper had no chance of stopping. Guntersville tied the game up in the 20th minute thanks to a well-placed through ball, but, eight minutes later, Tristan was able retake the advantage for RHS after converting his penalty kick shot following a foul in the box.

After the halftime intermission, German Perez quickly put the Golden Tigers up 3-1 with a goal in the 46th minute.

But with 34 minutes to go, Russellville’s two-goal lead was not safe. Guntersville roared back to equalize thanks to well-worked set piece goals in the 50th and 54th minutes.

The Wildcats clawed one goal back after a corner kick whipped into the six-yard box was headed sharply past RHS keeper David Tomas. The visitors then tied the game back up a few minutes later after a free kick sent into the box was headed into the corner of goal.

The score remained 3-3 for the next 20-plus minutes until Russellville found the game-winning goal in the 76th minute using a nice bit of set piece strategy.

Awarded a corner kick, most of the Golden Tigers started their attacking runs towards goal from outside the box, but Tristan lingered back. At the corner flag, Ezequiel Mateo played the corner out to Tristan who, undefended from 20 yards out, lined up his shot and sent it skittering on the ground across the face of goal and into the bottom far corner, giving RHS the 4-3 lead.

After the ensuing celebrations and the restart, Russellville was able to run out the remaining four or so minutes to avenge last season’s 3-0 defeat to Guntersville in the third round and clinch its spot in this year’s semifinals.

The result set up another thrilling contest against Springville in Huntsville.

In the semifinal on May 6, the Golden Tigers’ third appearance in the playoff’s penultimate contest since 2021, Russellville opened the scoring on an Isaias Jose goal 17 minutes into the game and would hold that lead going into the second half.

Outshooting their opponent 14-5, Russellville gave Springville very few opportunities in the match, but the No. 1-ranked team in Class 5A took its limited chances well. SHS had its one shot on goal in the first half saved by Tomas, but in the second half its second (and final) shot on goal found the back of the net in the 75th minute via a Caden Williams header.

Tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, Russellville and Springville played 10 minutes of scoreless soccer over two overtime periods before the game went to the decisive penalty kick shootout.

After determining the order, Tristan took the opening round pen for Russellville and missed. Springville’s Parker Whisenhunt then converted to swing momentum towards his squad, but Miguel Tomas Ramos was able to level PKs at 1-1. Unfortunately for the Golden Tigers, Erik Jacinto and Cristopher Rodriguez both failed on their attempts while Springville’s Max Freed and Ashton Woodall were able to send their shots past Tomas, Woodall’s made penalty considered the “golden goal” that gave SHS the 2-1 win and sent the Tigers to the championship match.

Two days later, Springville would go on to lose the Class 5A championship game to St. Michael Catholic 5-1.

Russellville ended its 2026 campaign with a final 21-6-0 record.