Girls seek second win

Photo by Robby Newport
Russellville striker Marvin Betancourt (35) shoots past Athens Bible goalkeeper Daniel Eison (0) during Saturday’s River City Shootout in Decatur. The Golden Tigers beat the Trojans 9-2, improving to 6-1 this season.

By Kim West for the FCT

DECATUR — Seven games into their rookie season, the Russellville boys soccer team is gaining statewide attention with their stingy defense and goal-scoring prowess.

In the Class 4A-5A poll released Monday, Russellville received enough votes to check in at No. 13, only three spots away from cracking the top 10 rankings.

The Golden Tigers (6-1) earned two victories in the River City Shootout, falling to Albertville, 1-0, Friday and beating Muscle Shoals, 7-0, and Athens Bible, 9-2, Saturday. They also picked up a road win in Week 3, winning 4-2 at Haleyville Feb. 27.

“The boys were heartbroken we lost, 1-0, but they understand how good of a team Albertville always has, so they were excited. They came back Saturday and played extremely hard after the loss and redeemed themselves,” Russellville head coach Trey Stanford said.

The Russellville attack has produced 36 goals in seven games, with senior striker Marvin Betancourt tallying a team-leading ten goals. The defense has given up only two goals in field play and two goals off penalty kicks.

While the boys have jumped out to an expected strong start, the young Russellville girls soccer team is continuing to gain experience and is pursuing a second win after picking up the program’s first victory in Week 2. The Lady Golden Tigers (1-6) also participated in the River City Shootout, playing in the fourth division against Tanner, Boaz and Hazel Green. They lost to Boaz, 2-0, Friday and 9-0 to both Tanner and Hazel Green Saturday. Freshman goalkeeper Briana Ramirez has collected 55 saves in seven games for Russellville.

“I think it was valuable experience for the girls. They need to understand what level of play they need to be at to compete,” Stanford said. “They finished the last game hard. I was proud of them for that (because) they never gave up, even though it was pretty rough on them.”

Russellville plays at Mars Hill March 13 and at Danville March 16. The girls play at 5 p.m., followed by the boys at 7 p.m.