Westminster Christian will most certainly start the season as the top-ranked team in 5A, having won three straight state championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025 in 4A.
Westminster Christian will most certainly start the season as the top-ranked team in 5A, having won three straight state championships in 2023, 2024, and 2025 in 4A.New head coach Julia Houser takes over a program built by departing coach Hunter Chapman, who has taken over the boys head coaching job at Huntsville High.
During Westminster’s three-year run of excellence, the Wildcats have compiled a record of 52-9-3 and 36-2 in matches against teams in the same classification. “I’m so excited to be here coaching these girls and coming into a program with its history of success on the field,” Houser said. “What is so impressive is the culture that’s been built, starting with an administration that cares so much about their student athletes. Coach Chapman did such a great job, and we’re carrying on the same mission, having so much excitement with these girls and having fun in practice while focusing on our core values. “The girls have all bought in, which is so important when you’re the new coach of such a great program.” Last season, the Wildcats faced the challenge of losing 12 seniors, but met that challenge by scoring over 4 goals a game while giving up only 14 goals all season to repeat as state champions. This year, the Wildcats return much of their offensive firepower, led by sophomore Ava Martinez, who was the team leader in goals with 22. Matinez broke her collarbone in last year’s semifinal overtime win over Springville and is ready to make the run for another blue map. “Last year was pretty hard, having broken my collarbone in the semifinals, but I have had to push through and keep going because it’s all part of God’s plan,” she said. “This year will be a fresh start with some new people. “This year we face a great challenge, having won three straight championships and playing hard for a fourth, but we have some great players like Liberty Kim in the back end on defense helping us get it done.” The Wildcats will also look to sophomore Annie Collier, last year’s tournament MVP, to lead the team on and off the field. She was the team’s second-leading scorer with 18 goals last year. “The thing I love most about this team is that we are one big, huge family,” Collier said. “I feel like I can count on every girl on the team for anything. Coach Julia has also been so great, being like a big sister and a mom and really encouraging me as a leader for my faith in Christ, too.” Westminster will face some new challenges on defense this year as it replaces seniors Elizabeth Riley Campbell Cox and Riley Sisson, as well as injured goalkeeper Piper Blazier. Freshman Kora Karricks will step between the posts for the Wildcats, and coach Houser expects she will have a great season.Courtesy photo “Defense wins championships, and we know at the end of the day if they cannot score on us, they cannot win,” Houser said. “While Kora may not have the experience that Piper does, her teammates believe in her and will have her back on defense, keeping the ball away from our net. We know she is up to the challenge. “I’d be silly not to acknowledge that there are high expectations here, but we’re coming into this year with the expectation of developing players and pouring into their lives knowing that if we leave this season better mentally, emotionally, and our skill and our culture better than when we started, that will define success for us.” Senior Calli Solan is also expected to be a top contributor this season, finally getting to play her first season last year. She missed her sophomore season with an injury, but came up big for the Wildcats during their title run last year and is excited to get back on the field this year to go for a fourth straight title. “It has been so fun to be a leader on this team and see everyone around me grow and get better every day, doing what we love to do,” Solan said. “The wins speak for themselves when you put God first and the needs of your team first, and that is what we all really do. I can’t wait to get out there to keep doing what we love.” Westminster will open with a challenging schedule that begins at home against Class 7A Sparkman on Tuesday, Feb. 17. The Wildcats will then head to Birmingham’s Eagle Sports for the Lakeshore Shootout to face teams that include Daphne, Homewood, John Caroll, Hartselle and Decatur.
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