players spent the past year being greeted by an unwelcome site upon entering their locker room: A photo of Chelsea celebrating its 2017 Class 6A state title.

The photo was there to serve as motivation. Chelsea eliminated John Carroll in last year's quarterfinals, ending the Cavaliers' streak of three consecutive state championships. 

That picture can now come off the wall.

Top-ranked John Carroll scored a pair of first-half goals and stymied No. 5 Gardendale's offense in a 2-0 victory this afternoon in the 6A championship match at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.

John Carroll (21-3-1) earned the fifth title in program history, which ties the Cavaliers for fourth in AHSAA history with Vestavia Hills and Grissom.

Gardendale, which lost 4-0 to John Carrolll on April 10, finished 14-6-1.

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Play of the match: Claire Davies' goal with 6:19 left in the second half sealed the Cavaliers' win.

Game ball: John Carroll junior Gabby Bernal scored with 14:49 left in the first half and was named MVP. She scored two goals in the Cavaliers' 4-0 win over Northview on Friday in the semifinals.

"It's just so exciting," Bernal said. "We lost last year and this is, like, the best feeling in the world to come back. "

Stat sheet: John Carroll's Mary Grace Farr took three shots on goal. Gardendale keeper Lauren Motes made 10 saves. Cavaliers keeper Song Bowers did not face a shot on goal.

By the numbers: 1 - Shot by Gardendale. John Carroll took 22, 12 of which were on goal; 0 - Goals allowed by John Carroll in five postseason games. That includes of a 4-0 win over Chelsea in the quarterfinals; 3 - Corner kicks for the Cavaliers to the Rockets' none; 9 - John Carroll fouls. Gardendale had five.

Coachspeak: "I'm truly blessed to coach these girls. They are amazing. They're like one." -- John Carroll coach Robert Crawford

"'Unfinished business' is the term we used this year. (The Chelsea photo) was a driving force for us this year; they look at it every day and commit every day to working hard." -- Crawford

They said it ... : "It means everything to me. It's something that I can do for my school." -- Bernal on winning a state title