KNIGHTS FINISH THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER UNDEFEATED WITH 9-1 WIN OVER NEUSE CHRISTIAN: 11-0-1 Overall, 5-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) 

 

WAKE FOREST, NC- The Knights traveled three hours east just beyond Raleigh, NC for an out of conference contest against Neuse Christian Academy at Endeavor Charter School field Thursday night. Game time was 5:30 pm and finished at approximately 7:10 pm just as light started to fade away into the night. The long mid week trip proved fruitful for the Knights in many ways.

 

Offensively the Knights struck early as junior forward Gabe Walker crossed the ball over from the left side to Senior forward Tommy McGrath who put a light touch on ball to score the games first goal under a minute into the contest. Next up were two scores from Gabe Walker in the 18th and 23rd minutes, giving the Knights a 3-0 halftime advantage. At the 47th minute mark Tommy McGrath struck net once again as the senior skied high into the air with a beautiful header after receiving the corner kick from Gabe Walker. Gabe Walker scored at the 48th minute, Tommy McGrath the 50th minute, Tommy McGrath 57th minute. Next, scoring his first goal of the season was junior defensive right back Jack Zaliagiris who seemed to come out of nowhere to score on a header from Dixon O'hair's precisely placed corner kick during minute number 58. Junior Gabe Walker concluded the scoring at the 67th minute.

 

Recapping the scoring, senior Tommy McGrath and junior Gabe Walker each had four goals with Jack Zaliagiris adding one. Receiving assists on the night were Gabe Walker (3), Dixon O'hair (2), Braden Whitford (1), Garrison Mullis (1) and Tommy McGrath (1).

 

Defensively the Knights were led by junior Owen Duncan. The Knights goalie arrived focused and ready to play as he stopped several close shots on goal and held Neuse Christian to one score. 

 

The Knights Battle Ball, a HCA tradition that recognizes the player with he best effort, best attitude, etc, went to senior mid Dixon O'hair. Throughout the contest O'hair controlled the middle of the field, showing hustle and ball control and consistently distributed to multiple teammates leading to a great scoring night for HCA. O'hair was equally in control on the defensive end as he disrupted the offensive momentum of the host team and switched the field repeatedly. 

 

Next up for the Knights will be a home contest vs conference foe Woodlawn. Game time is set for 4:00 Tuesday, October 3 @ Henry Fork Park in Hickory.

 

The remaining regular season schedule looks like this:

 

(Home) Tuesday October 3rd @ Henry Fork vs Woodlawn, 4:00

(Home) Thursday October 5th @ Henry Fork vs Statesville Christian, 4:00

(Away) Monday October 9th @ Statesville Christian, 7:00

(Away) Tuesday October 10th @ North Hills Christian (Salisbury area), 4:00

(Home) Thursday October 12th @ Henry Fork vs University Christian

 

State playoff seedings will take place on Sunday October 15th. State tournament games will begin on Tuesday October 17th @ home of higher seeds. It seems the first 4 seeds will receive a first round bye and potential second round bye pending number of teams participating.