UHA’s State Tournament Run Ends With Loss at Owensboro

University Heights Academy’s run at the KHSAA Boys’ State Soccer Tournament ended on Monday with a 7-0 loss at Owensboro.

UHA’s season ends with an 18-7 record, while the Red Devils move on to the quarterfinals with a 19-2-2 record. They will play South Oldham on Saturday.

Both teams had its defense on display early as Owensboro kept possession in the Blazers’ end of the field for most of the first 20 minutes. They continually peppered Blazers goalie Hayden Fitzsimmons, who knocked away several shots.

However, once the Red Devils were able to penetrate the box, they were able to find gaps in the defense and get some up close shots.

In the 17^th minute, the Blazers failed to clear the ball properly, and Brian Payne scored the first of his two goals in the match to give the Red Devils the lead.

Owensboro broke the game open with three goals in a six-minute stretch toward the end of the half. Max Knoop scored in front with 11:26 left, followed by a Jackson Sigler cross to Denis Juma that put the Red Devils up 3-0 with 9:33 left.

Peter Mbayo ended the first half scoring when he fired a low rocket from outside the box with 5:49 left.

Owensboro’s speed up front allowed them a 14-2 shot advantage in the first half in building a 4-0 lead.

“I think we wore down a little bit at the end of each half, playing on adrenaline and giving it everything we got,” UHA coach Josh Nichols said. “But when your legs go, you let go, it doesn’t matter how bad you want it. We were worn out from last week, there’s no getting around that. We practiced Saturday and Sunday, and you could see it. Guys were spent, but they dug deep and did their best tonight. Owensboro was running a lot of guys at us and they are a super talented team.”

Nichols also pointed out the game was played at Owensboro’s Dale Poole Field, which is the maximum 80 feet in width. UHA’s Givens Field is about 65 feet in width.

The Blazers played better in the second half and held the Red Devils to eight shots, but could never play with the ball in the Owensboro end enough to get off enough shots to catch up.

“We kind of dug in and looked like we were just ready to defend for 80 minutes and against a team that talented that can beat you off the dribble and doesn’t need a lot of space to turn and get a shot,” Nichols said. “You just can’t sit deep and think you’re going to keep them off the scoreboard. We did a better job of hitting feet, coming out, putting some combinations scattered through the midfield, and I thought we played a lot better in the second half.”

UHA only had two corner kick opportunities in the match, while Owensboro had 10. No goals came from the corner kicks.

Payne scored with 22:44 left to extend the lead to 5-0, and the Red Devils ended with two goals in the final 3:10 from Juma and Valor Smith.

Owensboro owned a 22-5 shot advantage with goalie Kaleb Davidson responsible for three saves.

Fitzsimmons made 11 saves with seven coming in the first half.

The Owensboro clean sheet was its 11^th of the season and the third straight over UHA – 2025, 2021, and 2019.

University Heights Academy’s senior class completes a legacy with 61 wins, one region title, two region championship appearances, and three district championships.

“I’m super proud of those guys. Obviously losing Lincoln (Hauret) this year was a huge blow. I wish he could have gotten across the finish line with us,” Nichols said, pointing to the athleticism they possessed.

“Those guys are as athletic as any five players I’ve ever had. Cadence Gibson hadn’t played a lot of soccer you, and he gave us so much just with his athleticism and his willingness to run and be physical.”

“Hayden Hunt is just an absolute freak. He is good at everything he does and he was huge for us.”

“Clayton (Lester) has been a rock. What you see on the field only scratches the surface of what he means to the program. He’s been a captain for every year I’ve been here, and he is the greatest kid. The kids love him. They rally around him, and he’s been an absolute rock for the program.”

“Ryan Luckey is steady and goes about his business. He’s as good as any defender in the region and our best 1v1 defender. He always got the other team’s best player and almost always shut them down.”