KNIGHTS PLAY A COMPLETE GAME ON BOTH SIDES SECURING 8-1 VICTORY OVER WESTMINSTER CATAWBA CHRISTIAN; 4-0-0 Overall, 0-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) 

HICKORY, NC- The HCA Knights welcomed the visitors from Rock Hill, SC to a rainy and wet Henry Fork Park for a rematch of last year’s contest which the Knights also recorded a victory against their 2A foe. Across the pitch were many dedicated fans braving the weather conditions to cheer on the home Knights.

This game, like others this young season, saw the Knights opponent strike goal first as the visiting Indians jumped out 1-0 at the 8^thminute mark. The next 20 minutes would be scoreless as the Indians packed it in tight on the back line, seemingly playing it safe to keep the contest low scoring. 

However, the Knights were tenacious with their attack, exercising ball control as sophomore Braden Whitford found senor Gabe Walker for goal at minute 28 of the contest. Despite the visitors from Rock Hill continuing to pack it in tight to hold off a potential scoring onslaught, the Knights would score two more goals before the halftime whistle. Senior Gabe Walker would score just 3 short minutes after his first goal of the contest on an assist from freshman Braden Runyon moving the score to 2-1 in favor of the Knights. Freshman Stephen Frye entered the contest and made a beautiful move on his defender and blasted a shot that found the back of the net to take the score to 3-1, giving the Knights a two goal advantage heading into halftime. Frye was a recipient of sophomore’s Caleb McMurray’s assist. 

In preparing the Knights for the second half during the break, coach Josh Walker predicted the visitors form Rock Hill would play a different strategy and “pull” out and not pack the back line as the Indians would be more offensive minded to attempt to score more goals. Another part of his halftime talk was that he challenged his squad not to give up a score in the upcoming half. To this point of the season the Knights have been scored on during each half of play and is not indicative of past teams under Walker. More on these two points as we recap the 2^ndhalf. 

During half number two the Knights would follow through on Walker’s halftime talk as the hosts would score 5 unanswered goals. Starting things off in the scoring column was once again Gabe Walker in minute 45. Caleb McMurray had the assist, his second straight assist of the contest. Next was Braden Runyon as he hit net in minute 64 on an assist from Freshman Walker Harris who was in position to find ball off a corner kick and sent the assist to Runyon. 

Walker (goals at minute 68,71) and Runyon (2 more assists to Walker) would connect taking the score to 7-1 in favor of the Knights. Near the end of the contest, freshman Stephen Frye once again was hustling on the pitch and punched in his second goal of the afternoon. He was on the receiving end of Braden Runyon’s assist. 

Leading the way offensively for the Knights was Walker who had five goals, Stephen Frye two goals and Braden Runyon one goal. Runyon was the catalyst on the offensive side as he finished with four assists. McMurray had two assists, Whitford and Harris one respectively. Sophomore Wyatt King continued his improved play in the middle of the field, possessing and finding his teammates feet on numerous occasions. Senior Luke Ikerd performed admirably and provided the spark both offensively and defensively at his forward position.

Sophomore Garrison Mullis sat out the contest nursing a bruised bone and will be out for the remainder of the week. He did however, man the camera and put his talents to good use. Also nursing injuries are senior Aedan Arnot (strained quad), senior Owen Duncan (shoulder), senior Jack Zaliagiris (knee), sophomore Chase Collins (toe). 

Freshman Stephen Frye was the recipient of the HCA Battle Ball, a HCA tradition after each game awarded to the player with the best effort, attitude, performance and all around impact on the outcome of the contest. Frye finished the game with two goals and provided valuable minutes for the Knights. The freshman has been progressing since the start of camp and will continue to be counted on for his contributions as the season moves along. 

In addition to the second half onslaught of goals, the Knights defense answered coach Walker’s halftime challenge by not allowing a goal in the second half. It was the first half of action the Knights did not allow a goal all season. Leading the way on the defensive side was seniors Owen Duncan, Jack Zaliagiris, Wil Lehman and Aedan Arnot. Arnot would leave the contest early with a strained quad muscle. Also playing inspired minutes were junior Spencer Burton, sophomores Chase Collins, Nate Walls, and freshman Ian Benfield.