By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

HUNTSVILLE — Indian Springs School girls’ soccer coach Hunter Gray saw his team playing at its full potential with several scoring chances and an early goal in the first five minutes of an Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 1A-4A semifinal contest May 11 at John Hunt Park.

Unfortunately, Gray and his players saw Montgomery Academy playing at its best the remaining 75 minutes, which left Indian Springs just shy of reaching the state championship match following a 5-1 loss to the Eagles.

“We had moments,” Gray said. “(Montgomery Academy) did what they do really well.”

Despite the loss in the semifinal match, Indian Springs set a new AHSAA Class 1A-4A record with its ninth appearance in the semifinals.

“I think it’s a testament to the kids,” Gray said. “Year in and year out, there’s a strong tradition of soccer here.”

Senior forward Laura McMullan provided the lone goal for Indian Springs just 1:26 into the match. Indian Springs junior midfielder Alice Marson recorded an assist on the goal.

After putting pressure on Montgomery Academy goalkeeper Abi Capouya early in the match, the Eagles returned the favor and netted three first-half goals and two second-half goals in the victory.

Senior forward Nini Rabsatt-Smith scored the first goal for Montgomery Academy in the 10th minute of the contest. Senior midfielder Erin Katz netted the second goal off an assist from her sister, freshman midfielder Brenna Katz, in the 22nd minute.

Forward Cari Budney, an eighth-grader, capped the scoring in the first half for the Eagles with her goal off an assist from Erin Katz in the 34th minute of the match.

Forward Gracie Trulove, an eighth-grader, scored Montgomery Academy’s first goal in the second half just 1:38 into the half. Rabsatt-Smith capped the scoring for the Eagles with her unassisted goal in the 50th minute of the contest.

Indian Springs junior goalkeeper Emma Knapp finished with 11 saves in the match. Capouya, a junior, recorded one save for the Eagles.

McMullan capped her varsity career at Indian Springs following the semifinal loss. McMullan set a new AHSAA Class 1A-4A record this season as she posted a hat trick in four consecutive matches.

“I can’t do that without my teammates,” McMullan said.