University Heights Academy was playing without three starters Saturday, and at times their game looked out of place as the Lady Blazers fell to Graves County 5-2 at Givens Field.
University Heights got out to a quick 1-0 lead as Lilly Strader scored on a breakaway seven minutes in At the 13-minute mark, Strader fed Emerson Barlow for the goal that gave the Lady Blazers a 2-0 lead.
However Graves County, one of the favorites in the First Region, tied the game with eight minutes left in the half on a goal by Madeline Bird and a Raychel Mathis goal three minutes later.
The match was tied 2-2 at halftime before Bird (one goal) and Mathis (two goals) would add three second half goals to ice the game for Graves.
The margin may have been more if not for several spectacular saves in goal by University Heights Academy goalie Lainey Burman.
The three starters injured Lady Blazer starters could miss anywhere from 1-3 weeks.
University Heights Academy does not have time to mope about their loss. They are back in action Monday when they host Caldwell County at Givens Field.
