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. Wanye Country Day School


6.0 years ago @ 7:48AM
Game Date
Oct 26, 2017
Score
: 2
WANYE COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL: 1

KNIGHTS ADVANCE TO NCISAA 1A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH 2-1 DEFEAT OF WAYNE COUNTRY DAY; 18-0-1 Overall 
 
HICKORY, NC -- The Hickory Christian Academy Knights battled Wayne Country Day (Goldsboro, NC) at Lenoir Rhyne Field on Thursday evening under the lights and secured the win and yet another opportunity at a NC state title. 
 
The two traditional power houses in the 1A division churned out a tough defensive effort for the first 40 minutes of the contest as the score was deadlocked going into halftime, 0-0. There were a few opportunities for each squad, but neither seemed to get their foot on the ball at the right time or in the right spot. 
 
It appeared that both teams were in a chess match during the first half, but the second half would be much different. At the 52nd minute mark freshman Braden Whitford was fouled and junior Jack Zaliagiris set up for the direct kick just over the midfield mark. Zaliagiris then booted a perfect kick towards the back post and Senior Tommy McGrath put his left foot on the ball, spurring it into the back of the net for the first score of the game, giving the Knights a 1-0 advantage.
 
The Chargers from Goldsboro answered just nine minutes later with their first goal to tie the score 1-1. It seemed they rode that momentum for the next seven minutes with a couple shots on goal. However, perhaps one of the most pivotal moments of the night came at the 68 minute mark as junior goalie Owen Duncan prevented the Chargers from going up a score. Duncan denied two shots on goal during a three minute span. This allowed the Knights to go to work on the offensive end.
 
At minute 73 junior Gabe Walker broke free for a shot on goal that bounced off the cross bar. Then the play of the night happened as eighth grader Braden Runyon found his way to the rebound and punched it in for the score, giving the Knights a 2-1 advantage with only 7 minutes remaining in the contest. Asked for his recap of the goal, Runyon said, "Gabe shot and it hit the post and it was totally God! He set the ball right in my direction and I bent over it and put it in!"
 
The final 7 minutes found the Knights possessing and playing smart, using the clock to their advantage. At the final whistle the Knights would be the winners and advance to the championship game.
 
The Battle Ball, an HCA tradition awarded to the player with best effort, attitude and leadership was presented to Braden Runyon. Never before has an eighth grader received the battle ball but on this night he was without a doubt the right recipient. Runyon has been a big contributor all season long and the Knights soccer program is excited to have him for 4 more years. 
 
The NCIASS 1A playoffs are down to the final two teams, Hickory Christian Academy and Statesville Christian. The two conference foes will battle for the third time this season, this time with a state championship on the line. Game is set for 1:00 Saturday, October 28 at Wayne Country Day in Goldsboro. 
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