University Heights Academy played well for much of the night, but defending 2nd Region champion and tourney favorite Madisonville-North Hopkins was too tall a hill to climb.
The Maroons got a hat trick from Logan Terry while turning back UHA 4-1 Wednesday night in the boys’ regional tournament at Madisonville’s Donley Field.
Madisonville (18-3-3) will take on Henderson County (13-4-3) for the 2nd Region title Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. Henderson advanced with a 5-1 win over Christian County in Wednesday’s semifinals.
University Heights ends its season at 13-9-1.
The Blazers kept the game scoreless for almost a half before a shot from the right side by Terry went off a UHA player and into the net to put Madisonville on the scoreboard. That came with 20:51 left in the first half.
Terry struck again with 11:15 remaining in the half, heading in a throw-in from Maverick Peyton to make it a 2-0 ballgame at the break.
Terry’s third goal came early in the second half to make it 3-0 and give the Maroons what felt like a commanding lead. Sam Dodds picked up an assist on the play.
Madisonville scored its final goal with 25:58 left in the match. Nelson Menjivar-Villalobos scored with help from Eli Redpath to make it 4-0.
UHA did break up the shutout with 19:39 to go in the tilt.
A long free kick by Clayton Lester glanced off Hayden Hunt inside the box and found its way into the net. Hunt was credited with the goal while Lester got the assist.
But the Blazers could get no closer in bowing to Madisonville for the second time this year. UHA dropped its season opener to the Maroons 8-0.
Madisonville outshot the Blazers 17-8.
Quinton Quarles made seven saves in the University Heights net.
For Madisonville, Hunter Gamblin recorded two saves and Adam Devine had one save.
The Maroons will be making their second-straight appearance in the final. Henderson is in the championship game for the sixth straight year. Madisonville won last year’s title tilt 5-0.
