David vs. Goliath: Montgomery Academy Stuns Oak Mountain for 7A Soccer Title

Let me tell you a little something about expectations-Oak Mountain had 'em. Piled high. Thirty wins, one loss, number one in the country, and a MaxPreps computer that gave Montgomery Academy a big, fat 0% chance to win. That's not a long shot. That's not a Hail Mary. That's a "don't bother showing up." But soccer isn't played on spreadsheets. It's played on grass. It's played with heart. And in Huntsville, it was played with grit, guts, and a maybe a little divine intervention.

Montgomery Academy made history on a May Saturday night in Huntsville, defeating powerhouse Oak Mountain 2-1 to capture the AHSAA Class 7A Boys Soccer State

Championship-its first at the 7A level, and arguably one of the most stunning upsets in Alabama high school sports history.

Oak Mountain came into the championship match undefeated at 30-0-1, ranked No. 1 nationally, and riding the momentum of a dominant season. Most sports analysts-and even the predictive model at MaxPreps, which uses team records, strength of schedule, and national rankings to project outcomes-gave Montgomery Academy zero chance of victory. But on the field at John Hunt Park, those odds meant nothing.

This was a classic David vs. Goliath matchup. Montgomery Academy, a much smaller school in terms of enrollment and classified as 3A in many other sports, showed that heart, discipline, and execution still matter in championship moments. Montgomery Academy struck quickly. In the first half, an Oak Mountain own goal put the Eagles ahead 1-0. Less than two minutes later, tournament MVP Cade Segars extended the lead to 2-0 with a brilliant finish off an assist from senior midfielder Ethan Yi.

Oak Mountain responded with a goal later in the match, but Montgomery Academy's back line and freshman goalkeeper Grady Ming held firm under constant pressure. Head Coach Gui Mondaini credited his players for defying expectations and staying mentally strong against a nationally ranked team. A former professional player from Uruguay, Mondaini has brought a high level of tactical expertise and passion to Montgomery Academy's program since taking over as head coach in 2022. His leadership has been instrumental in elevating the team's competitiveness at the highest level of state soccer.

"Oak Mountain, they're a great team," Mondaini said. "But I think it's very disrespectful to put a team with 0% chance of winning a game, and we end up winning."

The moment was particularly emotional for the team's seniors, many of whom had come close to winning a title in previous seasons but fell just short. Freshman keeper Grady Ming said he was proud to help deliver the title for those older teammates. The championship capped off a postseason run that saw Montgomery Academy defeat Central-Phenix City 9-1, outlast Fairhope in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw, and then upset Oak Mountain in the final.

What this team accomplished goes beyond one night in May. In recognition of this remarkable feat, Representative Reed Ingram and Senator Will Barfoot sponsored a resolution by the Alabama Legislature formally commending Montgomery Academy's soccer team for their historic victory. It's a testament to belief, preparation, and unity. In a classification dominated by large public schools, Montgomery Academy carved out its place in history books.