KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS

Hickory Christian academy

Hickory Christian academy

Hickory Christian academy

Knights

Hickory Christian academy

Boys Varsity Soccer


Game Summaries & Headlines.

Boys Varsity Soccer vs. University Christian School


6.0 years ago @ 10:30AM
Game Date
Oct 12, 2017
Score
: 3
UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: 2

KNIGHTS PUT EXCLAMATION POINT ON REMARKABLE SEASON SCORING A 3-2, HARD FOUGHT WIN OVER UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN, SECURING AN UNDEFEATED REGULAR SEASON; 16-0-1 Overall, 10-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) 
 
HICKORY, NC- On senior night, the pre-game was highlighted by a beautiful rendition of our National Anthem from Caroline Collins and Brianna Stoots, both previous HCA students. Collins is the sister of HCA freshman soccer player Chase Collins. John McGrath, father of senior Tommy McGrath provided the opening prayer.
 
Playing in their third consecutive game in as many days the Knights wanted nothing more than to finish strong with an undefeated regular season and to send the seniors out with a victory. But it wouldn't come easy as the Barracudas set out to be spoilers on this cool, windy evening at the Lenoir-Rhyne soccer field.
 
As the Knights have done for all but one game this season, they came out blazing with the first score of the evening at the 4 minute mark of the contest. Senior Tommy McGrath continued his second half of the season dominance as he placed the ball in the back of the net on an assist by senior Aiden Smith. However, the Barracudas would answer relatively quickly with their own goal, hitting net 8 minutes later at the 12 minute mark. The score would remain tied at 1-1 as the teams headed into halftime.
 
A HCA tradition, this years seniors were honored in a halftime ceremony. As a contingent of HCA representatives gathered at the mid field mark, each senior was escorted by their parents in front of the team, receiving much deserved applause as a recap of their career accomplishments on and off the field and most memorable soccer experience was presented to the crowd. To conclude the ceremony, Kyle Abernathy took photographs of players, parents and coaches. If that name sounds familiar Kyle was a major contributor and standout player for coach Josh Walker several years ago. He also previously served as the Knights assistant coach and continues to be an asset for our teams success.
 
As the teams headed back onto the field to begin the second 40 minutes of action, the Knights knew they had to strike first to swing the momentum back in their favor. Senior Dixon O'hair did not disappoint as he took an assist from junior Gabe Walker just 45 seconds into the half and crushed it into goal to put the Knights up 2-1. The next thirty minutes were deadlocked as neither team could create the right opportunities for scoring opportunities. But in minute 70, University Christian scored and the game was tied again at 2-2. 
 
With just 10 minutes remaining the Knights really could not afford a 20 minute overtime period as the long week and consecutive games were beginning to take its tole both physically and mentally. That's when junior wing Luke Ikerd took matters into his own hands and out hustled his defender on the left side of the pitch and sent a left to right cross to Gabe Walker who immediately took advantage of his positioning to score the winning goal. At the time of Walker's goal only 2 minutes remained in the contest and negated an opportunity for the Barracudas to take the game into overtime. Fortunately for the Knights no overtime period was needed.
 
The Battle Ball is a HCA tradition awarded to the player with best effort, attitude and leadership and was presented to all five seniors for their contribution over the last several years to the program and for their win on senior night. Tommy McGrath, Eli Sigmon, Dixon O'hair, Aiden Smith and Thomas McEwan gladly accepted and their teammates unanimously approved coach Walker's decision.
 
Freshman Caleb McMurray saw his first action in over 6 weeks as he has recovered from a broken toe. The freshman was able to get 10-15 minutes of game action and will continue his conditioning as he works his way back into the rotation.
 
In the team huddle at the conclusion of the game, head coach Josh Walker shared his thoughts on the win and what's on the horizon for the Knights. "It wasn't our best effort but we got the win. You all know that. And you know where you need to get better. Not only physically but mentally. You have to be strong. It's been a long week and you pulled it out. No other HCA team has ever went undefeated in conference. You have", stated Walker. "Our first season was camp and preseason tournament, the second season we just finished and now our third season begins and that is the playoffs! We have tomorrow off, no practice, but when we come out Monday we come out hard, with our best efforts and we work harder than we have up to this point". 
 
Now that the regular season is in the books, it’s time to shift focus as the state playoffs are on deck. It’s hard to believe, but the first and second rounds will be played next Tuesday, October 17 and Thursday, October 19th; its crunch time! Based on overall record and strength of schedule the Knights should secure a bye for both rounds. MaxPreps has the Knights as the number one team in the state of North Carolina. That will carry weight but will not be all the committee considers when they meet in Greensboro this Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:00 pm to seed the teams for the playoffs. It is quite possible that the Knights will be hosting a playoff game on Saturday, October 21 at Henry Fork Park in Hickory.
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