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By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

HOOVER – The Spain Park Jaguars faced one of the biggest tests to their undefeated season yet as their crosstown rivals the Hoover Buccaneers visited Spain Park High School on Thursday, April 4.

While area stakes were not on the line, there was no shortage of bragging rights at stake in the top-three battle as the No. 3 Bucs looked to play spoiler to the No. 1 Jags’ hopes of a perfect season.

In the end, Spain Park took a 3-2 win over Hoover for its second win in as many nights after it beat the Northridge Jaguars 7-0 at home on Wednesday, April 3.

Before taking two weeks off, including a week for spring break, the Jags emerged victorious in the battle of top two teams in Alabama as they claimed a 4-1 win over Oak Mountain in area play.

That extended Spain Park’s unbeaten run as it improved to 16-0 on the season and 3-0 in area play.

The Bucs presented one of the Jags’ toughest tests yet as they broke through Spain Park’s stout back line multiple times during the match. After surrendering just four goals in 16 matches, Hoover scored twice as one of the top attacks in the state put their crosstown foes on notice.

However, the Jags proved once again why they have been so tough to beat as they scored three goals in response.

That gave Spain Park the 3-2 victory to help it stay undefeated.

The night before, the Jags had a much easier time handling Northridge in their first match back in two weeks.

Spain Park’s offense had a field day as it put seven goals past Northridge’s goalkeeper and took a commanding lead in the contest.

As for the defense, Spain Park’s back line held up its end of the field and turned in a clean sheet on the night.

The strong performances on both ends of the field sealed the 7-0 victory for Spain Park in the battle of the Jags.

After the two games, Spain Park now has a +77-goal differential in its 17 wins after scoring 83 goals against just six allowed.

The Jags will head back to area play on Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. as they travel just down the road for a rematch against Oak Mountain.