The Caldwell County Tigers are set to make another appearance in the championship game of the boys’ soccer 2nd Region All A Classic. The Tigers advanced with a 4-1 win over Heritage Christian Academy Tuesday evening on the Warriors’ home pitch.
Four different Tigers found the net en route to the win.
A.J. Padilla got Caldwell County on the board first, scoring off an assist from Chase Lantrip at the 17:00 to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. That would be the only score for either team in the opening 40 minutes as both defenses were able to turn back the rest of the scoring attempts.
Lack of depth began to be a factor for Heritage Christian in the second half. Kila Cherry injured her leg in the first half and would not return, leaving the Warriors with only 11 players. Another injury would force HCA to play much of the second half with 10 players, and a case of leg cramps saw the Warriors actually play about three minutes of the second half two players down.
Caldwell County was able to take advantage of the depth factor and get themselves some breathing room, although it did not come easy.
A.J. Padilla took a goal kick, drove it up the field, and passed to Deacon Carter, who found the net to extend the Tiger lead to 2-0.
HCA had a quick response when Kallan Davis drove the ball down the left side of the field and beat the Caldwell County keeper to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Tigers were able to turn back any thoughts of a comeback with two goals over the final 10 minutes of the match. TreVaughn Copeland took a run down the left side and beat the keeper to make it 3-1. The Tigers added another score five minutes later to seal the win when Landon Cunningham found the net.
The win improves Caldwell County to 2-2 on the season and moves the Tigers into Saturday’s final, where they will square off against University Heights.
Heritage Christian drops to 0-2 on the year.
