Todd Central Boys Edge Blazers in Defensive Battle

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In a game short on scoring chances but packed with physical action in the middle of the field, the Todd County Central boys’ soccer team earned a 1-0 victory over visiting University Heights Academy on Thursday.

The Rebels improve to 14-2-1 with their first win over the Blazers since a 3-2 result in 2010 when both teams played in the 3rd District.

UHA sees a three-game winning run come to an end to sit at 8-6 on the season.

Neither team could find much room to operate in the opening half, and it took 27 minutes for UHA’s Ethan Hale to register the game’s first shot on target. 

However, the Blazers turned up the pressure as the half came to a close and nearly took the lead when Matthew Hauret’s shot from the top of the box was tipped over the crossbar by Rebel goalkeeper Jonah Rager.

Hauret went close again with eight minutes played in the 2nd half, but Rager came up with another stop.  The Rebels answered with a shot by Ric Garcia-Sears that UHA keeper Quinton Quarles was able to collect.

Todd Central began to look more dangerous over the final 20 minutes and had the UHA defense scrambling to block a flurry of good shooting opportunities in the box.

The pressure paid off in the 65th minute when Tanner Henderson picked up the ball inside the UHA half and drove at the Blazer defense.  He wrong-footed a defender and cut to his left before rolling the ball into the net with his right foot for the only goal the Rebels would need.

Chris Salazer nearly doubled the advantage when his shot from distance skimmed to the top of the crossbar, followed by a half-volley by Henderson that flashed wide of the UHA goal.

The Blazers had two good opportunities to tie the game inside the final 10 minutes, but Preston Thomas’ shot in the box was saved, and Hale’s header off a free kick from Thomas bounced wide of the goal.

After being shut out for only the second time this season, UHA will look to get back on track when they welcome Muhlenberg County to Givens Field on Saturday.

Todd Central will close out its regular-season schedule with a pair of home matches, beginning with a visit from Trigg County on Tuesday.

 

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