Game Summaries & Headlines.
HCA Grabs First Win of Season
5.0 years ago @ 12:27PM
- Game Date
- Aug 10, 2018
- Score
- : 5
GCAA STALLIONS: 2
KNIGHTS START THE 2018 FALL SOCCER SEASON IN TYPICAL FASHION SCORING A 5-2, HARD FOUGHT WIN OVER THE GREATER CABARRUS ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION STALLIONS; 1-0-0 Overall, 0-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA)
CONOVER, NC- On the heels of a grueling camp week and the Lincolnton Jamboree (the Knights went 2-0-1) the Knights officially opened the 2018 season in front of their enthusiastic fans and played host to the visiting Stallions from Cabarrus County at the Shuford YMCA.
To the surprise of the home crowd and perhaps the Knights squad, the Stallions struck first during the 9th minute of the contest for the games first goal. But only two minutes later, Senior Gabe Walker quickly knotted the score even at 1-1 at the 11th minute as he was on the receiving end of a beautiful assist from Freshman Braden Runyon. You might want to get use to these two names as this 1-2 punch looks to capitalize on the pitch from a rigorous off season training program.
At minute number 16, Gabe Walker struck for his second goal of the contest from a corner kick by Sophomore Garrison Mullis. With the score remaining tight towards the end of the first half, the Knights took advantage of another opportunity as once again Sophomore Garrison Mullis delivered a perfect corner kick that found Senior Wil Lehman in front of the goal for a header and a 3-1 Knights lead at the 36 minute mark. The knights would hold that advantage until the start of the second half.
Rallying the team at halftime was coach Josh Walker who instructed the Knights to get back defensively and be more aggressive in stepping to the ball. The Knights would find this to pivotal in their second half attack.
A characteristic of Coach Walker's previous Knight teams is to come out blazing in the second half, apply pressure defensively and attack aggressively on the offensive end.
Today was no different as the Knights once again struck pay dirt at the 50 minute mark. Senior Wil Lehman booted a long kick three-fourths the length of the field and Senior Gabe Walker took over form there, navigating his way to a get an open look and punched it in for his third goal of the contest. With the score 4-1 in favor of the Knights the two teams would battle over the next 21 minutes before another ball would see the back of the net. Unfortunately for the Knights the next goal would be scored by the Stallions at minute number 71, however the Knights from Hickory Christian Academy still held a 4-2 advantage in the scoring column.
In the games 80th minute Sophomore Wyatt King claimed his first goal of the young season as Senior Gabe Walker found King streaking towards the goal for his first assist of the game.
The Knights welcomed 1st year Freshmen players Walker Harris, Stephen Frye and Ian Benfield to the fold as each received valuable minutes during the contest and will be in the mix as the season unfolds. Freshman Braden Runyon was a key contributor for the varsity during his 8th grade year so he is beginning his second year on the team.
Defensively, Lehman, Senior Jack Zaliagiris, Junior Spencer Burton (receiving his first start of his varsity soccer career), and Sophomore Caleb McMurray led the way in holding the Stallions to just two goals. Sophomore Braden Whitford continued where he left off last year and was a force in the middle for the Knights. Senior Luke Ikerd was once again all over the pitch leading the charge both defensively and offensively throughout the evening.
Senior All State goalie Owen Duncan was on the sidelines recovering from a head injury obtained during the Knights annual alumni game held at TI field a week ago last Thursday. The senior took a knee to the back of the head and received 6 staples but has been cleared and will be available for the Knights next contest. In his absence Sophomore Nate Walls was thrown into the fire and has responded with poise and continues to improve his game each day. Walls took a season off from soccer during his freshman year but is working hard to be a key contributor this season.
At the conclusion of games it is a HCA tradition to award a Battle Ball to the player with best effort, attitude and leadership and today coach Walker presented this to Senior Wil Lehman. Lehman is perhaps one of the Knights most versatile players and is always in on the action. He finished the contest with one goal and one assist and also controlled the back line at the sweeper position.
In the team huddle at the conclusion of the game, head coach Josh Walker shared his thoughts on the win and what's on the horizon for the Knights. "It was the perfect first game. The Stallions played hard and exposed some of our weaknesses." Walker also stated, "We must possess the ball with more consistency, communicate better and lower the number of turnovers in the middle of the field. It's the difference between us being good versus being great."
With the first game in the books the Knights can now turn their attention to next Tuesday's contest in Winston Salem against a formidable opponent, Forsyth Homeschoolers. The context is slated to begin at 5:00 @ the Sara Lee Soccer Complex.