1 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
2 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
3 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
4 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
5 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
6 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
7 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
8 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
9 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
10 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
11 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
12 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
13 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Dan DeMasters' Oak Mountain High School boys soccer team clinched its third consecutive Class 7A state title on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Ala. The Eagles won the state title by successfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
14 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
15 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
16 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
17 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
18 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
19 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
20 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
21 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
22 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
23 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
24 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
25 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
26 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
27 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
28 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
29 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
30 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
31 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
32 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
33 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
34 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
35 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
36 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
37 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
38 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
39 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
40 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
41 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
42 of 42
Sarah Finnegan
Oak Mountain Soccer State Championship 2017
Oak Mountain competes in the AHSAA Soccer State Championship against Davidson on May 13, 2017 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville, Al. The Eagles won the state title by succesfully kicking three penalty shots made by Chad Jeter, Clay Holstad and Kennedy Davis while goalie Zay Brown blocked all of Davidson's attempts.
HUNTSVILLE – All it took was a couple of Zay Brown saves.
After 80 minutes of regulation time and 10 additional overtime minutes, the Oak Mountain High School boys soccer team was in a 1-1 deadlock with Davidson. Penalty kicks proved a different story, as the Eagles converted all three and Brown let none past him.
That sequence proved all Oak Mountain needed to win its third consecutive Class 7A state championship on Saturday at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
“We know this is the playoffs, and sometimes you can’t score, or sometimes you let goals in, and it can get down to this sort of thing,” said Oak Mountain coach Dan DeMasters, of the entire season coming down to a shootout.
The first Davidson attempt in the shootout sailed over the crossbar, and Oak Mountain’s Chad Jeter calmly put his chance in the back of the net. Brown stepped up to save the next attempt, and Clay Holstad scored another for the Eagles. Brown made an acrobatic save once again to deny Davidson, and Kennedy Davis’ shot found the back of the net, lifting the Eagles to victory.
Oak Mountain wins state title
“We practice it every day,” said Brown. “It was nothing new for any of us. It’s just every day at practice, getting better every time we do (penalty kicks).”
Jackson Murphy’s goal 5:41 into the game almost stood up for the duration, as his early conversion gave the Eagles a 1-0 lead for much of the contest. Even though the Eagles seemingly dominated possession throughout, Griffin Tucker lobbed a set piece from outside the box, perfectly placed into the top corner of the far post, for the equalizer with two minutes remaining in regulation.
“Getting scored on with two minutes to go is a tough thing to do,” DeMasters said.
Both teams played to a stalemate through a pair of five-minute overtime periods, even though the Eagles nearly scored at the end of the first overtime frame. Once that was concluded, it was time for DeMasters to release his secret weapon in goal, after Matthew Hazelwood performed admirably in goal in the final start of his career.
“I told Zay to be Superman,” DeMasters said. “And he did. I knew he was going to save one because he’s so long and athletic.”
He saved two. And the Eagles went home with another blue map.
“I’m happy they ended the story,” DeMasters said. “I told the guys not to worry about the three-peat thing. Make the guys that came before us proud, but just focus on the 2017 season. Now that they story’s over, we can talk about the three-peat, and I guess we’ll try for four.”
With DeMasters in his fourth year at Oak Mountain, this year’s crop of seniors – Hazelwood, Nathan Tamburello, Caleb Puckett, William Hunt, Jeter, Victor Perez, Cameron Ritchey, Caleb Van Geffen, Davis, James Kozlek, Michael Reeder and Andrew Dunlap – was the first group that he coached all through high school.
DeMasters said, “To see them grow from the freshman teams or whatever teams they were on – some of the guys I’ve had for four years like Kennedy Davis and Chad Jeter and those guys, my captains – that’s why I coach. I coach to give them these memories.”
Oak Mountain defeated Vestavia 2-0 on Friday to advance to the final.