KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS

KNIGHTS

Hickory Christian academy

Hickory Christian academy

Hickory Christian academy

Knights

Hickory Christian academy

Boys Varsity Soccer


Game Summaries & Headlines.

Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Statesville Christian School


6.0 years ago @ 10:09AM
Game Date
Oct 5, 2017
Score
: 4
STATESVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL: 3

KNIGHTS CONTINUE THEIR SOLID PLAY WITH A 4-3 OVERTIME VICTORY OVER STATESVILLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY: 13-0-1 Overall, 7-0 Southern Piedmont Athletic Association (SPAA) HICKORY, NC- Senior forward Tommy McGrath accounted for all four goals as the Hickory Christian Academy Knights came out on the winning end of an epic battle between these two conference rivals at Henry Fork River Park Thursday afternoon. It took the home Knights just 12 minutes to get on the scoreboard with McGrath's first goal. Statesville then put on the pressure, scoring the next two goals at the 17 and 19 minute marks to go up 2-1 on the Knights. But McGrath would have nothing of it as he scored his second goal of the afternoon at the 22 minute mark to even the score at 2-2. The next thirteen minutes of the contest saw both teams give tremendous effort as the Knights and Lions contested seemingly every move on the pitch. Fortunately for the Knights McGrath was not finished and he scored again with just a few minutes remaining in the half giving the home Knights a 3-2 advantage at the break. As head coach Josh Walker was concluding his halftime adjustments, junior Will Lehman inspired his teammates, slowly approaching the huddle while on crutches with an unexpected visit. On the morning of the game the junior center mid underwent season ending hip surgery. "I wish I could be out there on the field with you, just win" was the message he had for the team as he was traveling back home mid morning. Another Knight, sophomore Sawyer DelCharco, was home under concussion protocol for the second straight game. A message was sent through assistant coach Daryl Carter from earlier in the day. "Me and Will (Lehman) have been taking hits all season for you guys. Go beat Statesville". With the inspiring presence and words from their injured teammates the Knights came out attacking at the onset of the second half as they had four shots on goal within a matter of 30 seconds, three of which bounced off the cross bar. Unfortunately for the Knights neither made it into the net. The visiting Lions from Statesville Christian would not let up as they worked their way back into the contest, scoring a goal at the 54 minute mark to even up the contest 3-3. The remainder of the second half saw a lot of back and forth, close calls and multiple players from each side experiencing cramping. As the game would end in a 3-3 tie, conference rules dictate a 20 minute overtime period with a break at the 10 minute mark. Once again, senior forward Tommy McGrath would not be denied as he punched it in the back of the net just 3 minutes into the overtime period to give the Knights a 4-3 advantage. From that point on both teams battled hard but there would be no more scoring and the Knights came out with the win. No surprise here as senior Tommy McGrath received the Battle Ball for the second consecutive contest. The Battle Ball is a HCA tradition awarded to the player with best effort, attitude and leadership. Not many under the tenure of 15 year head coach Josh Walker can say they received the ball two times in a row. The celebration is short lived as the Knights, now 13-0-1, 7-0, prepare for their second straight contest with the Lions from Statesville Christian. The Lions play host to the Knights on their campus in Statesville Monday night. Game time is set for 7:00.

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