E.A. Sports Today

Calhoun County soccer

Donoho’s girls and Oxford’s boys, both defending champions, voted top seeds for the Calhoun County Tournament.

By Joe Medley
East Alabama Sports Today

JACKSONVILLE — The defending Calhoun County soccer champions are top seeds in this year’s tournament.

County coaches voted Donoho’s girls (13-0) and Oxford’s boys (7-7-1) the top seed in this year’s tournament, which starts Monday at Choccolocco Park.

The second round is Tuesday, and championship matches are Thursday.

Donoho’s girls are ranked No. 1 in Class 1A-3A and enjoy a season goal differential of 111-6. This despite losing a generational player in Erin Turley, who now plays for the University of Alabama-Huntsville.

Anna Kate Walace and Samantha Wakefield, veterans of Donoho’s state runner-up team from 2024, lead the charge this season.

“They’ve been together for so long,” Donoho coach Richard Laird said. “It’s just a tight-knit group of girls.

“Erin really taught everybody and passed along her love for the game. It’s a really easy team to coach because the girls pay attention and try so hard.”

Oxford’s boys lost reigning Calhoun County player of the year Tristan Koontz to graduation but return 2024 county-tournament MVP Aldo Gutierrez at midfield, along with several key players.

Oxford coach Haili Vinson sees potential for this year’s team to beat Oxford’s postseason drought.

“We have a lot of guys that have been here for a while,” she said. “They’re graduating, so they’re just ready to end on a high note.” 

Boys seeds

1. Oxford
2. White Plains
3. Donoho
4. Saks
5. Weaver
6. Jacksonville
7. Faith Christian
8. Anniston

Boys’ pairings

MONDAY, April 7
No. 1 Oxford vs. No. 8 Anniston, 6:30 p.m.
No. 4 Saks vs. No. 5 Weaver, 6:30 p.m.
No. 3 Donoho vs. No. 6 Jacksonville, 6:30 p.m.
No. 2 White Plains vs. No. 7 Faith Christian, 6:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, April 8
Semifinals, 6:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, April 10
Championship, 7 p.m.

Girls’ seeds

1. Donoho
2. Jacksonville
3. Saks
4. White Plains
5. Weaver
6. Oxford
7. Faith Christian

Girls’ pairings

MONDAY, April 7
No. 4 White Plains vs. No. 5 White Plains, 4:30 p.m.
No. 3 Saks vs. No. 6 Oxford, 4:30 p.m.
No. 2 Jacksonville vs. No. 7 Faith Christian, 4:30 p.m.
TUESDAY, April 8
Semifinals

No. 1 Donoho vs. White Plains/Weaver, 4:30 p.m.
Saks/Oxford vs. Jacksonville/Faith, 4:30 p.m.
THURSDAY, April 10
Championship, 5 p.m.

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