Soccer

South Defeats North 2-0 in AHSAA All-Star Girls Soccer Match

Elsie Shirley earns MVP as Ferguson retires after historic career

The South squad posted a 2-0 victory over the North in the AHSAA All-Star Sports Week girls' soccer contest, played at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex in Montgomery.

J.K. Longnecker of Pike Road opened the scoring at 73:48, and Olivia Leathers of Fairhope doubled the lead at 77:33, her effort set up by Longnecker's assist.

Elsie Shirley of Houston Academy was named the South Most Valuable Player, while Loralei Wei of Mountain Brook earned the North MVP honor after logging the full 80 minutes.

South coaches Tom Renshaw of Houston Academy and Bill Ferguson of Auburn directed the win; Ferguson's retirement was noted, ending a career that produced state championships for both the girls' and boys' 7A teams.

The North side was steered by six-time state champion coach Rebecca Mercer of Hoover and Tiffany Walker of Florence, who together guided their team through a competitive match.

The shutout underscored the defensive discipline of the South, which managed only six shots but kept five on target, while the North's six-shot total fell short.

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