KNIGHTS HOLD OPPONENT TO ANOTHER SHUTOUT, FINAL SCORE HCA 3  TRI CITY CHRISTIAN 0

 

CONOVER- For the second consecutive year HCA's Luke Ikerd scored the first goal early in the contest and was followed by goals by Braden Runyon (1st half) and Gabe Walker (2nd half). This proved to be a total team effort with each player helping the Hickory Christian Academy Knights take their record to an impressive 5-0-1, defeating Tri City Eagles 3-0 at Tri City Christian School Monday afternoon.

 

The shutout, the Knights 4th out of 6 contests came despite dealing with numerous injuries.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

The Knights senior Tommy McGrath missed his 2nd consecutive game due to surgery (pins in left pinky finger), Caleb McMurray, his first game to a broken right big toe (out for 3 weeks) and Will Lehman, who asked to come out early in the contest due to lingering hip discomfort (MRI scheduled for this Thursday afternoon).

 

The Knights controlled the possession of the ball for the majority of the game; estimated to be 55 of 80 minutes. If not for one save late in the contest by goalie Owen Duncan the Eagles really were no threat to score. 

 

Coach Josh Walker was congratulatory to the team during his post game speech recognizing the teams time of possession and desire to compete. Coach Walker did however discuss the importance of finishing around goal in our next match against Victory Christian. 

 

Receiving the Battle Ball, a Hickory Christian tradition given to the player that shows the best overall effort was Jack Zaliagiris. Jack displayed superb defensive technique and positioning, halting any offensive attack by the Eagles on the right side of the pitch and was called upon for multiple goal kicks to jumpstart a counter attack for the Knights offense.

 

The Knights have a short turnaround as they play host to their first conference foe of the season, Victory Christian at the Conover YMCA on Tuesday, August 29th @ 4:00.