With semifinal losses in each of the last two seasons and looking for the program’s first-ever KCAA state soccer title, the Heritage Christian Academy Warriors made a single goal stand up on Friday night to knock off Assumption Academy and bring the big trophy back to Hopkinsville.
The two teams had played to a 0-0 draw earlier in the season to provide the only blemish on the Warriors’ record, and Friday night’s encounter at the Elizabethtown Sports Park played out in much the same way for the first 65 minutes.
The game was back-and-forth over the first 25 minutes, with HCA enjoying the more clear-cut chances. However, Assumption was dangerous on the counter-attack and it took a Carlos Robles’ clearance in front of an open Warrior goal to keep the game scoreless in the 26th minute.
HCA goalkeeper Matt Wills was called on a short time later to make a comfortable save on an Assumption header from six yards out. The Warriors had the best opportunity to open the scoring when Trenton Hayes’ low shot to the far post was saved by Assumption’s Francis Beck with 12 minutes left in the 1st half.
Heritage Christian came out of the break with its foot on the gas, but frustration was growing as they couldn’t find the breakthrough over the first 20 minutes of the second frame.
Hayes and Vova West couldn’t connect up top with the final pass for much of the match, but West’s ball over the top of the Horsemen defense sat up perfectly for Hayes and he found the back of the net from close range to put the Warriors in front with 15 minutes left.
HCA outshot Assumption 6-3 in the 1st half and the Warrior defense only allowed the Horsemen a single shot on goal over the final 40 minutes to see out the historic victory.
Wills made three saves in goal to earn the shutout while Assumption’s Beck was called on to make nine stops.
