KNIGHTS SECURE VICTORY OVER UNIVERSITY CHRISTIAN, HICKORY, NC; 5-2 SCORE; 12-4-0 Overall, 6-0 Foothills Athletic Conference  

HICKORY, NC - October 10TH, 2019 – With the win the Knights from Hickory Christian Academy extended their winning streak to seven games and added an exclamation point on their conference championship season. The regular season finale was a neck and neck battle until the Knights pulled away with three unanswered goals in the final 13 minutes of the contest.

The first 12 minutes presented to the fans a back and forth defensive battle until the Barracudas struck first at minute thirteen to take a 1-0 lead. Just two mintues later the Knights would even the score at 1-1 as junior Garrison Mullis was on the receiving end of a Stephen Frye assist and found the back of the net. Frye, a sophomore, would create another opportunity for his teammates, this time finding sophomore/junior (just for you Tasha) Braden Runyon. Runyon’s goal put the Knights ahead 2-1 at minute mark eighteen. 

University Christian would score the last goal of the first half off a well-executed corner kick at the 25-minute mark. 

During the halftime talk, it was obvious to the Knights coaches and players felt they were the superior team, but miscues and lost opportunities had the contest knotted at 2-2.

Moving into half number two the Knights would need to capitalize on their opportunities if they were to finish out the conference season undefeated. Through the first 26 minutes of the second half not much changed for the Knights as numerous shots on goals resulted in no points in the scoring column. Perhaps one of the endearing traits of the 2019 team is their perseverance and toughness; a never quit attitude that has defined this year’s squad. 

To that thought, the Knights would pour it on over the final 14 minutes of action, tallying 3 unanswered goals to secure the win by a 5-2 margin. Junior Garrison Mullis hit payday at the 66^th minute and again at minute 68, this time on an assist from junior Dylan Morrison. Sophomore Braden Runyon would drive the final nail in the coffin off a direct kick with just under four minutes remaining in the contest.

Sophomore Stephen Frye 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. Frye, fighting through an injury to his wrist and an apparent overdose of pancakes consumed during his last period theology class that caused bloating and shortness of breath, was credited with two assists on the evening and often found himself in the middle of the action throughout the contest. 

Battle Ball honorable mention goes to sophomore Ian Benfield who resisted the temptation to partake in the pancake festivities. 

The Knights will practice Friday afternoon then await the state playoff seedings that will be published late Sunday afternoon.