The 2026 girls soccer season in the Tuscaloosa area will be remembered as one of the most competitive and celebrated in recent memory, with Northridge High School capturing its first Class 6A state championship and Tuscaloosa Academy advancing to the Final Four.
The Tuscaloosa News All‑Area team was unveiled to honor the standout performances that defined the year, recognizing players from multiple schools and naming a coach who guided his squad to the pinnacle of success.
Celebrating the 2026 All‑Area Selections
Senior goalkeeper Kiley Brewer earned Player of the Year honors after posting 17 shutouts and delivering MVP performances in the championship match, while Coach Joseph Mohabbat was named Coach of the Year for steering Northridge to a 21‑7‑2 record and the historic title.
Maddie Vanderlyke led the offense with 16 goals despite playing much of the campaign with a stress fracture, missing only six games and still contributing crucial strikes when the team needed them most.
Payton Mays of Demopolis contributed 25 goals and 14 assists, propelling the Wildcats to a first‑round victory in the AHSAA Class 5A playoffs, while Maddie McVeagh combined four goals with six assists, operating effectively both as an attacker and a holding midfielder for the state champions.
Midfield anchor Bayne Brown added nine goals and four assists, orchestrating play for the Jaguars, and Ella Williams scored 12 goals that helped the Knights finish 12‑8 and reach the Class 1A‑3A semifinals.
Evelyn Miranda provided eight goals and two assists, directing the Rams' midfield attack, while Ann Cade Eddings commanded a defensive line that recorded 17 shutouts and allowed just three goals throughout the championship run, and Lilee Becker contributed a goal and two assists in a supporting defensive role.
Beyond individual statistics, the season underscored the growing strength of soccer culture in Tuscaloosa, fostering community pride and setting a promising foundation for future talent development across the region.