KNIGHTS PUT IT ALL TOGETHER, COLLECTIVELY AS A UNIT AND SECURE A 10-1 WIN OVER THE VISITORS FROM NORTHSIDE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY;

11-2-0 Overall, 4-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) 

HICKORY, NC- After a mostly cloudy day leading up to the start of the match, the sun broke free and shined brightly on the pitch, making for a warm afternoon which led to water breaks at the 20 minute marks of each half. The Knights would shine also as their performance was a focused, total team effort

Getting the Knights going early in the contest at minute number six was Garrison Mullis who was the recipient of a nice assist from Braden Whitford. Mullis, who has been on a scoring tear the last few games is finally healthy and the Knights are benefiting from his play. The next three goals came by way of a familiar name in the scoring column, senior Gabriel Walker. Two of Walkers goals were results of assists from Braden Whitford (three assists in the first half) with the other coming from sophomore Wyatt King. 

Rounding out the scoring in the first half was Braden Runyon at minute thirty-seven on an assist from freshman Ian Benfield. Whitford then scored right before the halftime whistle on an assist from Benfield, his second assist for the first half.

Up 6-0 at halftime the Knights would not take the foot off the pedal and looked to have similar results as half number two got underway.

The Knights would score two more goals before Northside would hit net. Mullis scored his second goal of the contest at minute forty-six on an assist from his fellow classmate, sophomore Chase Collins. Then just one minute later Walker once again struck goal with his fourth goal of the contest. Walker’s goal was a result of a nice assist from freshman Walker Harris. These two goals put the Knights up 8-0.

At minute number sixty-one the visitors from Northside Christian academy would float one high into the net for their first and only score of the contest, making the score 8-1 in favor of the host Knights.

Mullis, on an assist from Walker and Wyatt King, on an assist from Mullis would score the final two goals of the contest, giving the Knights a 10-1 victory. 

Holding the visitors to just one goal was the result of a tenacious defense that stepped up big time. All the Knights players who were able to play saw action and received valuable minutes that should prove huge as the final two weeks of the season and playoffs unfold. 

Sophomore Braden Whitford was 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. Whitford, who has come on strong the last couple of weeks finished the game with three assists and one goal. The sophomore jumpstarted the Knights offense as all of his assists came in the first twenty-seven minutes of the contest. Whitford was active in the middle of the pitch and his play proved pivotal throughout the contest.

The Knights return to a 5-7:15 practice at TI on Monday October 1. The next game on schedule is against University Christian, a cross-town and conference rival on Tuesday October 2 @ 4:00.