After losing to the Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons in the 2nd Region championship match two years in a row, the Henderson County Colonels got a measure of revenge Tuesday evening at the Stadium of Champions. Henderson used a strong defensive effort, especially in the first half of play, and a goal scored late in the first half to pick up a 1-0 win over the Maroons in the first regional semifinal match on a cold and blustery evening.
The match was a tough, hard-fought affair, with physical play, and saw several yellow cards handed out over the course of eighty minutes. Tempers flared on a handful of occasions, including a brief incident at the end of the match.
Henderson County came out and controlled much of the first half of play. The Colonels’ defense limited the scoring opportunities for the Maroons in the first 40 minutes, allowing just three shots on goal.
The biggest concern that Henderson fans may have had in the first half was that despite the Colonels controlling the action and spending most of the half in Madisonville’s end of the field, the Henderson lead was just 1-0 at the half. Henderson County outshot the Maroons 11 to 3 during the half.
The Colonel score came at 37:42 when Adam Williams scored off an assist from Jax Benton in the middle of a mass of players in front of the goal.
The Maroons came out in the second half and picked up the attack against the Henderson County defense. Still, the Maroons could not find a way to get a shot into the net, even with outshooting the Colonels 7 to 4 in the second half.
Henderson goalie Carsen Emmick came up with several big plays in the second half after not being forced into extensive action in the first half.
The Maroons had a couple of good looks at the goal in the second 40 minutes but could not get them to go as Henderson County held on for the win.
Madisonville-North Hopkins finishes the season with a record of 16-7-1.
Henderson County improves to 15-3-4 and advances to Wednesday night’s regional championship match at the Stadium of Champions.
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