Braulio Zavala's golden goal kicks off celebration for Susan Moore boys soccer

Maxwell Donaldson, Gadsden TimesFri, May 8, 2026 at 4:49 AM UTC

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Braulio Zavala's golden goal kicks off celebration for Susan Moore boys soccer

HUNTSVILLE — Madison Academy had held Braulio Zavala in check for the first 80 minutes of the semifinal match.

Zavala had a couple of chances but each time the Susan Moore boys soccer striker touched the ball the Mustangs were converging on him. Zavala found his chance in the first minute of extra time.

He got the ball on a deep clear and immediately started for the races trying to end the game. Zavala beat the keeper by finding the upper corner and gave Susan Moore a 3-2 win over Madison Academy on Thursday, May 7.

"I just live in the moment," Zavala said. "I just want to help my team. I always believe in myself that I could help my team out."

He felt it was going in when it left his foot, but saw it tracking towards the upper corner. Once Zavala saw the ball hit the back of the net, chaos ensued as the Bulldogs and their faithful started celebrating.

Zavala ran towards the corner, and then the stands, taking his shirt off in the process. The Bulldogs bench started a full sprint towards the stands and once there, players jumped up on the fence in an effort to hug their friends and family while others hugged and cried tears of joy on the field.

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"Exactly when I kicked I saw it going in, it was going up top in the side. I just saw it go in and I just went to go celebrate with my fans and my team," Zavala said.

For coach Ed Martinez, the celebration between players and the community made the night, and long journey worth it. Due to rain in Huntsville the Class 1-3A semifinals were delayed a day from Wednesday, and gives the Bulldogs about an 18 hour turnaround

"It was phenomenal moment. I couldn't believe it at the point because these kids have just worked so hard all year and to get that moment right there was just surreal," Martinez said.

Susan Moore got goals from Francisco Piceno and Isaac Mejia as well but it'll be hard for many to forget the final one that gives the Bulldogs a chance to play for the Class 1-3A title on Friday against Altamont, regardless of the outcome.

Maxwell Donaldson covers high school sports, Jax State athletics, the outdoors in Alabama and more for the Gadsden Times and USA TODAY Network. Find him on Twitter/X @_Max_Donaldson and contact him at MDonaldson@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Braulio Zavala's OT goal punches Susan Moore soccer's title game ticket

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