KNIGHTS WIN IN DRAMATIC FASHION OVER RIVAL STATESVILLE CHRISTIAN 2-1;

8-1-0 Overall, 2-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) 

STATESVILLE, NC- Just two days after the Knights traveled down to Mooresville and captured a win in their first conference game of the season, a 9-1 decision over Woodlawn School, the Knights were on the road for a tough matchup against rival and conference foe Statesville Christian Lions.

With Hurricane Florence fast approaching the North and South Carolina coast, the Lions and Knights once again gave their fans a game that would be forever etched into the memories of players, coaches and fans alike as it would take overtime to decide a winner.

The Knights managed a couple of opportunities in the first half but were not able to capitalize. At minute number seventeen senior Wil Lehman barely missed a penalty kick just left of the post. Then shortly before half, sophomore Chase Collins received a cross from the right side and placed a shot on goal only to see the ball ricochet off the crossbars. The score at half 0-0. 

Coach Walker kept his team calm and collected during the halftime meeting and stressed patience, ball control and hustle. These things would give the Knights the best opportunity to come out ahead if implemented on the field of play.

Not until the games sixty-seventh minute would any team score goal. But the host Lions capitalized on an opportunity, navigating through the middle of the Knights defense, giving them a 1-0 lead late in the contest. Fortunately for the Knights, senior Wil Lehman threw a monster throw in from the sidelines and as the ball sailed through the air, freshman Braden Runyon found an opening and leapt high above all defenders and headed the ball into the back of the net. This remarkable play tied the score 1-1 with just four minutes remaining in the contest. 

Both teams would battle the final four minutes and head into a 10 minute, sudden death overtime period.

As the team joined together before the overtime period, 2^ndyear assistant coach Daryl Carter made some key offensive and defensive changes and gave the Knights a motivational speech, one that mirrored Vince Lombardi of the great Green Bay Packers. Carter, a humble man, would never say it himself but his decisions proved to be the difference for the Knights. (Ok, had to do this at least once this year and was inspired by Joel Whitford – LOL)

During the overtime period the Knights conditioning was paying off as the first 7 minutes of the period was ball control and pressure defense. As the 8-minute mark of the overtime period approached, there was a mad scramble at the eighteen in front of the Lions goal. Sophomore Garrison Mullis found the ball on his foot and punched it in the back of the net. The celebration was delayed due to a foul (handball on the Lions) and after concurring with the second official the Knights were awarded the goal and victory in stunning fashion. A celebration ensued for the Knights.

Garrison Mulliswas the recipient of the HCA Battle Ball, a 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. Mullis, who returned two days earlier for his first game in over two weeks was the hero of the contest. In addition to his heroics in overtime, the sophomore played solid on the offensive side and was a force to be reckoned with throughout the contest.

The Knights have the weekend off and will return with a morning run at TI on Monday September 17^th@ 6:30 am. The next game on schedule is against North Hills Christian at Henry Fork on Thursday September 20^th. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.

Learn more about the Knights next opponent here: 

http://www.northhillschristian.com/about-nhcs/