The University Heights Academy girls’ soccer team got three goals from Kendall Hancock and overcame a parade of Greenwood penalty kicks to prevail 4-3 on Monday at Givens Field.
The Lady Blazers took an early lead on Gracie Ausenbaugh’s goal off an assist from Hancock before doubling their advantage inside the first 15 minutes. However, Greenwood cut the margin in half with a penalty kick to make it 2-1 at the halftime break.
With UHA leading 3-1, the Lady Gators again cut into the deficit with a goal from the penalty spot, but Hancock had the answer off an assist from Alyssa Grise to complete her hat trick and restore the two-goal lead with 20 minutes to play.
Greenwood converted its third PK to again trim the margin to a single goal, but the Lady Blazers saw out the win behind 11 saves for Madison Williams.
After leading the team with 30 assists a season ago, Audrey Perry provided a pair on Monday to help UHA win its opener for the second season in a row.
The Lady Blazers are off for a week before opening 8th District play with a visit from Fort Campbell. UHA has won the last 11 contests in the series dating back to 2014.
