University Heights Academy’s Kendall Hancock tormented the Hopkinsville defense on Wednesday, scoring six goals in a 9-1 victory that delivered the Lady Blazers’ third straight 8th-District title.
UHA capped a dominant run through district competition with 39 goals scored and only three conceded over six victories.
The Lady Blazers found the back of the net early and often, beginning with Gracie Ausenbaugh’s goal in the sixth minute after a loose ball in the Hopkinsville box.
Alyssa Grice made it 2-0 with a goal off a cross by Hancock, and Hancock struck for the first time when she finished off a perfectly weighted through ball from Kate Cayce.
Hancock completed a first-half hat trick with two goals in 90 seconds off assists from Ausenbaugh and Audrey Perry to make it 5-0 with 24 minutes left in the half.
A flurry of goals in the final five minutes began with Hancock’s volley off a Perry corner kick, followed by Ajae Oats’ header from a corner by Hancock.
The Lady Tigers’ first shot of the half was also their first goal when Kaylyn Lynch outran the Lady Blazer defense to score to goalkeeper Madison Williams’ right.
With the game in hand, UHA went to its bench for the first 15 minutes of the second half. After returning to the field, Hancock picked up where she had left off with another goal on a pass from Perry with 21:30 left.
Hancock capped her big night and ended the game when she slipped a shot in at the near post with just over four minutes remaining.
Jaleigha McFarland made 13 saves for Hopkinsville. The Lady Tigers slipped to 13-9-1 and will play in next week’s 2nd-Region tournament at Madisonville-North Hopkins.
The Lady Blazers improved to 14-3 with their fourth straight victory and sixth in a row over Hopkinsville.
