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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover wins the state championship during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover's Sam Bauder (2) during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover wins the state championship during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover wins the state championship during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover wins the state championship during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover wins the state championship during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover's Nicholas Ibanez (22) during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover's Richard Ujueta (7) during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover's Nicholas Ibanez (22) during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Kyle Parmley
State Soccer Finals
Hoover's Richard Ujueta (7) during the Class 7A state championship game between Hoover and Enterprise on Saturday, May 11, 2019, at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) falls over Florence defender Tyrus Williams (17) as the Florence bench reacts during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) dribbles the ball to move away from Florence defender Tyrus Williams (17) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover boys head coach Kris Keplinger looks on from the sideline during the second half of the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Igor Rudolph (21) dribbles the ball in the air during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) dribbles the ball to move away from Florence defender Tyrus Williams (17) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) falls over Florence defender Tyrus Williams (17) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) falls over Florence defender Tyrus Williams (17) as the Florence bench reacts during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover sweeper Sam Bauder (2) and Florence during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) moves toward the ball guarded by Florence defender Ted Borden (4) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Seth Davis (12) dribbles the ball during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover defender Ryder Strickland (3) kicks the ball downfield during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Seth Davis (12) dribbles the ball during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Seth Davis (12) reacts as he runs downfield with his teammates Caleb Couineau (9), Igor Rudolph (21) and Richard Ujueta (7) after making the assist to tie the game 1-1 during the Class 7A boys semifinal against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Seth Davis (12) and Florence midfielder Donar Ramos (7) make contact with the ball during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover goal keeper Owen Wenning (1) catches the ball in the end zone during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Seth Davis (12) reacts after making the assist to tie the game 1-1 during the Class 7A boys semifinal against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) dribbles the ball as Florence defender Jeremiah Martin (21) moves in during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Igor Rudolph (21) kicks the ball guarded by Florence midfielder Grant Johnson (8) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover forward Jay Udeh (18) works to keep the ball away from Florence defender Jeremiah Martin (21) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover sweeper Sam Bauder (2) dribbles the ball guarded by Florence midfielder William Nuckels (14) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover midfielder Igor Rudolph (21) dribbles the ball guarded by Florence midfielder Eddie Alvarado (10) during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
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Photo by Erin Nelson
Hoover sweeper Sam Bauder (2) watches as the ball moves through the air toward the goal during the Class 7A boys semifinal game against Florence on Friday, May 10, 2019 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville. Hoover defeated Florence 2-1 in double-overtime to advance to the Class 7A finals Saturday. [Photo/Erin Nelson]
HUNTSVILLE -- Silence hung over John Hunt Park as Finn Dowdey lined up for his penalty kick early Saturday afternoon.
The Hoover High School senior had one shot to win the Class 7A state title. He didn't flinch.
Dowdey slotted the ball across the rain-soaked grass and into the net's bottom right corner to lift the Buccaneers boys soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Enterprise.
He then ran toward his team's bench with his fists above his head. A roar replaced the silence as Hoover began to celebrate its first state title since 2003.
"Three years of memories and emotions just kind of came out," Dowdey said. "It means everything."
Dowdey missed most of the season as he rehabbed from a torn ACL. Since he made his return in early April, he's worn a large brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee.
That knee held up as Dowdey and his teammates sprinted from midfield to the end line after his game-winning penalty kick. The Bucs collectively swarmed goalkeeper Max Rudolph, who secured a crucial save before Dowdey's heroics.
The Bucs won the penalty kick shootout 5-3 behind clutch shots from Sam Bauder, Richard Ujueta, Nicholas Ibanez, Igor Rudolph and Dowdey.
Hoover head coach Kris Keplinger said he felt confident that his Bucs were going to deliver.
"We've got really good soccer players," said Keplinger, his gray T-shirt stained from a postgame Gatorade shower. "These kids have been playing soccer all their lives."
The game went to overtime after Enterprise's Andre Mazariegos tied the game 2-2 with only 25 seconds left in regulation. That the Bucs persevered even after the deflating lapse also didn't surprise their coach.
"It's a character thing," Keplinger said. "That's what this is all about."
The Bucs fell behind 1-0 in the first half but equalized before the break. Ujueta, a junior, put his foot on a pinpoint free kick that Bauder lobbed in front of the goal from just beyond the corner of the 18-yard box. Ujueta notched Hoover's second goal as well, firing a second-chance shot over the keeper's head with fewer than 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
He was named tournament MVP.
"I've always said big-time players make big-time plays," Ujueta said. "I saw my team needed some big-time plays, so I just tried my hardest to get us back into the game and win it."
Hoover advanced to the final by beating Florence 2-1 in Friday's semifinal. Lawson Shaw scored a long goal in double overtime, converting a shot from about 30 yards away. Hoover also fell behind in that game but equalized in the second half on a Seth Davis goal.
The Bucs finished the season 19-4-3.
"These guys worked really hard, and it worked out," Keplinger said. "And I'm really happy for them."
