A big 2nd-half performance from Preston Thomas overturned a halftime deficit and gave University Heights a 4-2 8th-District victory over visiting Hopkinsville on Tuesday night at Givens Field.
The win is the Blazers’ third straight, and they will look to clinch the district’s top seed when they face Christian County on September 27.
However, it was the Tigers on the front foot to start the game, and the early pressure paid off in the 8th minute when Bryan Fernandez’s shot from just outside the box skimmed the bottom of the crossbar and dropped in for a 1-0 lead.
A good chance went begging when Thomas put his shot from the center of the box over the bar, but the Blazers found the equalizer in the 24th minute when they were awarded a penalty kick after a Hopkinsville handball. Ethan Hale converted from the spot for his 15th goal of the season.
UHA’s Lincoln Hauret had his header off a corner saved by Hoptown keeper Timothy Marvel, but it was a Tiger header that found the back of the net with seven minutes left in the half. Against the run of play, Nick Klar nodded home David Lopez’s free-kick to give Hoptown a 2-1 advantage at the break.
After an opening ten minutes with no clear scoring chances for either team, Thomas took over for the Blazers. His first goal on a header off a Hale corner kick tied the match, and he struck again with fifteen minutes to play when he tapped in a loose ball in front of the Tiger net.
Only three minutes later, Thomas added the insurance goal, again getting his head on a Hale corner for a 4-2 UHA lead.
Quinton Quarles made three saves to earn the win for the Blazers. Marvel stopped five shots for the Tigers.
UHA improves to 8-5 with a trip to Elkton to face former coach Mike Smith and the Todd County Central Rebels on Thursday.
Hopkinsville slipped to 1-2 in district play and 6-7-1 overall. The Tigers are back in action on Saturday when they play Mayfield and Lyon County in the Christian County Colonel Showcase.
