By Scott Brown

Blazers Score in Bunches to Blitz Russellville in Preseason Tuneup

Posted: August 4, 2025
Article

University Heights Academy scored five goals in the second half to defeat Russellville 8-0 in a preseason scrimmage Monday at Givens Field in Hopkinsville.

With each team trying to find its tempo and open space, the match remained scoreless for the first 19 minutes until Lincoln Hauret scored the first of two goals to get the Blazers’ scoring going.

UHA scored two goals in two minutes, both dictated by Hayden Hunt, who scored on a breakaway in the 25th minute and was fouled in the box a minute later. Cal Givens banged home the penalty kick for a 3-0 lead.

The Blazers scored three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half to pull away from the Fourth Region Panthers. Hauret scored his second goal from the right side in the 45th minute, and freshman Graham Conrad poked one in out in front six minutes later. Hunt notched his second goal of the game in the 55th minute.

Cadence Gibson scored UHA’s final two goals, which triggered the eight-goal mercy rule.

“I thought the guys did a good job moving the ball in the midfield, and was glad to see some goals come in. Last season, we would play well for stretches, create chances, but wouldn’t score, and then we’d find ourselves in trouble later. So taking advantage of periods of domination is something I’d like to see,” UHA Coach Josh Nichols said.

Russellville only got one shot on goal against a Blazer defense that was missing two starters. “I’m happy with the way we played,” Nichols said. “Obviously, we were a little short-handed defensively, and they weren’t able to put a lot of pressure on us, so we got away with that.”