For the first time in the history of the Capital City Conference, all 10 soccer teams earned a berth in the state playoffs.
That made the 2023 season a competitive one and a successful one, with three teams reaching the championship round.
The girls’ all-conference team includes players from two teams that reached the finals and one that lost in the quarterfinals. Saint James (15-2-2), which had stunned Montgomery Academy in 2022 to reach the state tournament, cruised through the 1A-3A ranks unbeaten to reach the finals for the first time in school history. The Trojans’ only loss was to 7A Auburn in mid-April before losing to Westminster-Oak Mountain in the championship game. The 15 wins this season tied a school record.
The Capital City Coaches selected Saint James coach Charlie Brightwell as the CCC Coach of the Year after reaching the finals in his 15th season as the Trojans’ coach. His daughter, junior forward Katie Brightwell, was selected as the CCC Player of the Year. Brightwell helped the Trojans to their third consecutive appearance in the state tournament with 58 goals this season.
2023 ALL-CAPITAL CITY CONFERENCE
GIRLS SOCCER TEAM
Forward -- Hastings Avant, Jr., Trinity
Forward -- Katie Brightwell, Jr., Saint James
Forward -- Mary Elizabeth Cole, So., Montgomery Academy
Forward -- Hayes Jenkins, Sr., Montgomery Academy
Midfielder -- Sophia Cho, So., Montgomery Academy
Midfielder -- Ellis O’Connor, Fr., Catholic
Midfielder -- Katherine Sinco, Sr., Montgomery Academy
Midfielder -- Ella Wiswall, Jr., Trinity
Defender -- Bae Corley, Sr., Montgomery Academy
Defender -- Hannah McCain, Jr., Saint James
Defender -- Hope McCain, Jr., Saint James
Defender -- AP Stewart, Sr., Trinity
Goalkeeper -- Norah Desautels, Sr., Montgomery Academy
PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Katie Brightwell, Saint James
COACH OF THE YEAR -- Charlie Brightwell, Saint James
Honorable mention: Sarah Avant, D, 8th, Trinity; Natalie Barton, F, 8th, Saint James; Kerstin Daniel, M, So., Montgomery Academy; Marcy Gregory, G, Jr., Alabama Christian; Mary Grace Hixon, M, Jr., Saint James; Katie Irving, G, Jr., Saint James; Kate Johnson, M, So., Catholic; Chloe Jordan, M, So., Alabama Christian; Presley Lewis, F, Jr., Alabama Christian; Joanna Marlow, D, So., Catholic; Eryn Owens, F, So., Catholic; Rissie Price, G, 8th, Trinity; Anna Russo, D, Fr., Catholic; Heather Walski, G, So., Catholic; Caroline Waller, D, So., Montgomery Academy; Madison Yi, F, Jr., Montgomery Academy.