Nick Klar scored two second-half goals to help the Hopkinsville Tigers break open a tight game and pull out to a 5-1 win over the Heritage Christian Academy Warriors in the season opener for both teams. The game also marked the Warriors’ first 8th District contest and the first as a full-fledged member of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association after two years of probationary membership.
The match was scoreless until the 15:30 mark when Lester Mercario got a right-footed shot past the HCA goalie to give Hopkinsville a 1-0 lead. The Tigers would then push the lead out to 2-0 when Kyler Delvecchio took a pass from David Lopez in front of the goal and put it into the net.
Just as it appeared the Warriors may have been staggered and on the brink, they got themselves back into the game. Kallan Davis took a shot that was blocked by the Hoptown keeper, then took the rebound and pushed by the goalie to find the net and cut the lead to 2-1 at the 32:30 mark.
Hopkinsville’s depth then took over the contest during the second half. With Heritage having only one sub in uniform, the Tigers began to force the issue and increase the offensive pressure. Nick Klar broke free on a right-side run and scored to make it 3-1 at the 46:00 mark. Alex Ramirez scored on a shot from the left-hand side at the 58:00 to run the lead out to 4-1.
Nick Klar then scored his second goal of the night, taking a pass right in front of the goal and putting it past the keeper at 76:45 to get to the final score of 5-1.
Much of the second half was played on the Heritage Christian end of the field, keeping the Warrior defense and keeper under constant pressure, with that pressure ultimately taking its toll.
Hopkinsville opens the season at 1-0 and will host Marshall County Tuesday night.
HCA falls to 0-1 to open the season.
