Match Recap: Hickory Christian Takes Care of Business With A 5-1 Victory Over Forsyth Homeschoolers

Hickory, NC – September 28, 2020 – The Hickory Christian Academy’s varsity boys’ soccer team (4-1, 2-0) earned a 5-1 victory over Forsyth Homeschoolers on Monday at Neill Clark.

Coming off an all-important conference win over Davidson Day last Thursday the Knights came into the game looking to build off their previous success.

Senior Dylan Morrison put the Knights in the scoring column first (minute 12) after fellow senior Garrison Mullis (assist).

Senior Caleb McMurray then executed a near miraculous direct kick from near mid-field during minute 33 that floated over the outstretched hands of the Pirates goalie. The senior defender threw up his hands with a goal gesture and headed back to anchor the defense. The Knights would now have a 2-0 advantage in the scoring column.

With the score 2-0 in favor of the Knights heading into halftime, second year coach Bruno Ramos had a few minutes to provide some much-needed instruction and encouragement. “We are bit panicky. When you receive the ball, turn and push forward”, Ramos instructed. “When we attack, and they counter we need better defense. Come goal side really hard and look for your center midfielder Whitford “ (referring to senior center midfielder Braden Whitford). Ramos also acknowledged that senior Wyatt King was “busting his hump” with a huge effort and was asking others to step up.

The Knights would strike early in half number two (49^TH minute) as senior Wyatt King pushed the ball to the corner and turned it back to set up Morrison for his second goal of the contest. The Hawks scored their lone goal of the afternoon on a wild ricochet. Senior defender Caleb McMurray went to clear the ball out only ot have it bounce off a Pirates player for the score at minute fifty-two. The score was now 3-1 in favor of the Knights.

The Knights would answer with two more unanswered goals. At minute sixty-seven junior Braden Runyon would send over an assist to junior Walker Harris who punched a straight shot past goalie to take the score to 4-1. As the second half was drawing to an end, Runyon would finish out the scoring from an assist off the foot of junior Stephen Frye and send the final score to 5-1.

Senior Braden Whitford was the recipient of the HCA Battle Ball, an 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. Whitford always can be counted on for his outstanding hustle at the center mid position. He sets the tone early and often for his teammates and is a leader by example.