KNIGHTS BEAT RIVAL AND CONFERENCE FOE STATESVILLE CHRISTIAN, STATESVILLE, NC; 4-1 SCORE; 7-4-0 Overall, 2-0 Foothills Athletic Conference  

HICKORY, NC- September 17^th, 2019 – For only the second time this season the Knights had a full complement of players healthy and it showed what the squad is capable of when running on all cylinders. All fifteen members of the club saw valuable minutes, each playing superb soccer. With the win the Knights jumped out to a 2-0 conference record, an important start to a very competitive Foothills Athletic Conference. 

As expected, the Knights and Lions played in front of a large gathering as these two teams have battled against one another yearly and created a strong rivalry. The heat and tensions were high, but the Knights prevailed at home.

The Knights would score the first three goals of the contest. During minute number thirteen junior Garrison Mullis was looking to score the first goal of the contest but was fouled inside the box giving the Knights a penalty kick opportunity. That’s when junior Dylan Morrison stepped forward to set the tone, finding the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage. 

Junior Chase Collins got in on the scoring by taking a corner kick set play from Mullis to jumpstart a comfortable margin, a 2-0 score over the visiting Lions. Then, right before the halftime whistle was sounded, sophomore Braden Runyon set up for another corner kick for the Knights and blasted a shot that ricocheted off the goalie’s hands for a commanding 3-0 advantage heading into the break. 

The first twelve minutes of the second half there was a lot of back and forth as the defense on both sides started out strong. The Lions were able to score their first and only goal of the contest at the 52^ndminute mark. Then, just as five minutes ran off the clock, Mullis once again found the back of the net on a beautiful assist from junior Dylan Morrison, taking the score to 4-1 in favor of the home Knights. This would be the last goal of the match as neither team could muster a score over the final twenty-three minutes. 

Juniors Wyatt King and Braden Whitford along with sophomores Stephen Frye and Walker Harris did an admirable job on the offensive side setting up scoring opportunities for the Knights. 

Junior Hugo Fournie once again showed his versatile play, contributing on both offense and defense. Juniors Caleb McMurray and Ben Vazquez along with sophomore Ian Benfield had solid contributions on the defensive side, holding the Lions to just one goal. Junior goalie Nate Walls continued his improved goalie play and is key to the Knights success this season. Freshman Michael Steinert played valuable minutes off the bench, exuding max effort to contribute on the defensive side of the pitch. 

Senior defensive back Spencer Burton was the recipient of the HCA Battle Ball, an 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. Burton, undoubtedly playing his best game of his high school career, helped dominate the back line. The senior stifled any attack the Lions could muster.

The Knights are on the road for a 4:00 contest against North Hills Thursday before heading out for their annual High School Retreat Friday-Sunday.