Calera’s boys soccer team launched their Area 5 play with a commanding 4-0 victory against the Benjamin Russell Wildcats on March 6, 2024. The match took place at the Eagle Sports Complex in Calera, reaffirming the Eagles’ position in the top 10 of Class 6A. This win came after a challenging stretch during which Calera faced some of the toughest teams in the state.
The Eagles snapped a five-match unbeaten streak, which included near misses against several top-ranked opponents. They narrowly lost to No. 3 Pelham by a score of 3-2, fell 4-0 to 7A No. 5 Thompson, and faced a tough 1-0 defeat against No. 4 Gardendale. Additionally, Calera managed a 1-1 draw against No. 2 Homewood.
Facing a winless Benjamin Russell squad, which had an 0-3-3 record prior to the match, Calera’s defense proved to be impenetrable. The Eagles managed to secure their fourth clean sheet of the season, marking their first shutout since a staggering 10-0 victory over Sipsey Valley on February 12.
Calera’s offense took full advantage of the solid defensive effort, showcasing their scoring prowess with their seventh multi-goal outing of the season. Sam Njoroge emerged as a standout performer, scoring two goals. He was joined on the scoresheet by Edson Gonzalez and Chace Morrow, who also contributed to the decisive victory.
With this win, Calera’s overall record improved to 6-5-2, and they now hold a 1-0 record in area play. The Eagles maintain their No. 10 ranking in the Class 6A boys soccer coaches poll.
Looking ahead, Calera will travel to face the John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers on March 10, 2024, with kickoff scheduled for 19:00. In contrast, the Calera girls team faced a setback, losing 6-0 to Benjamin Russell. This defeat brought their overall record to 1-10 and their area play record to 0-1. The girls will also compete against John Carroll on the same day, with their match starting at 17:30.
As the season progresses, both teams will aim to improve their standings and build momentum heading into the next phase of play.
