Match Recap: On Senior Night, Senior Wyatt King Pulls Off Dramatic Goal In Final Two Minutes Against Tabernacle Christian, Giving The Knights A 2-1 Win

Hickory, NC – October 9, 2020 – Hickory Christian Academy’s varsity boys’ soccer team (9-1, 6-0) faced cross town Tabernacle Christian and narrowly escaped with a 2-1 victory with a dramatic 78-minute goal to break a 1-1 tie.

The contest was the first time in eleven years the two schools would square off, and they did not disappoint. Head coaches coach Bruno Ramos (Hickory Christian) and Andrew Cruse (Tabernacle) squared off for the first time.

The Knights and Conquerors were supported by an abundance of energetic fans who witnessed a masterpiece of competition between the two teams.

Tabernacle was awarded and completed a PK in minute 35, giving the guests a 1-0 advantage at the half.

During the halftime break, Coach Bruno Ramos made a few minor adjustments on the offensive end and the Knights controlled the pace and held possession for most of half number two.

In half number two, junior Braden Runyon was called upon for a Knights PK at minute 47 and blasted the ball over the outstretched hands of the Conquerors athletic goalie to find the upper left corner to even the score 1-1. The next 30 minutes of the contest was a lot of back and forth but ultimately saw the Knights take over possession and ultimately determine the outcome of the game.

Then at minute 78, senior Wyatt King calmly struck the ball past goalie on an assist from Runyon, giving the Knights a 2-1 advantage with under two minutes to play. A loud celebration ensued and once the Knights regained their focus, they were able to hold the lead for the win.

Senior Wyatt King 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. King, with perhaps his biggest goal of his 4-year varsity career, sealed the victory and a storybook ending to Senior Night.

At the conclusion of the game players, families, coaches and fans gathered to honor the eight seniors on this year’s roster.

Dylan Morrison

Ben Vazquez

Chase Collins

Garrison Mullis

Caleb McMurray

Braden Whitford

Nate Walls

Wyatt King

Looking ahead, the Knights host Statesville Christian Friday October 13^th @ 4:00 at Neill Clark. The contest will see conference number one seed Hickory Christian face off vs number four seed Statesville Christian in the first round of the Foothills Athletic Conference Tournament.