Coming off a storm-shortened loss on the road at Madisonville Tuesday night, the University Heights Academy Blazers were looking to create some “thunder” of their own as they began play in the 2nd Region All A Classic. Led by a hat trick from Ethan Hale, the Blazers did just that, “rumbling” past Fort Campbell 6-0 at Givens Field.
Hale’s three goals came over a nine-minute span in the middle of the match, taking a 2-0 lead and blowing it out to 5-0. He scored at the 35:00 off an assist from Preston Thomas, at the 41:00, and again at the 44:00 off a deflected goal kick that Fort Campbell misplayed in their own end of the field.
The Blazers got started quickly in the match. Griffin McCoy got behind the Fort Campbell goalie, who had come out to make a play on a shot, and found the net just 8 minutes in to put the Blazers up 1-0.
Less than 10 minutes later, Preston Thomas broke clear on a run down the middle of the field and made it 2-0.
After Hale’s three goals, Matthew Hauret scored off a spectacular crossing pass from Griffin McCoy to finish out the scoring for the Blazers.
Quinton Quarles and Eli Finch combined to get the shutout in goal.
UHA (1-1) will now host Lyon County Tuesday evening in a semifinal round matchup of the 2nd Region All A Classic. Before then, the Blazers will travel to Calloway County on Saturday.
