The University Heights Academy girls’ soccer team rolled past the Hopkinsville Lady Tigers 11-1 in the 8th District championship at the Stadium of Champions on Wednesday night. Coach Jeff Addison lead the Lady Tigers to nine consecutive titles from 2007 to 2015, but Coach Mike Parker and the Lady Blazers have won the last two.
Senior forward Sheldon Covington put UHA in front early when she followed her own shot that struck the post, before senior Alli Cundiff doubled the lead inside of 8 minutes. Senior Ashlyn Parker added another goal, followed closely by a converted penalty kick from Lady Blazer goalkeeper, sophomore Lainey Burman. Covington added her second goal to push the margin to 4-0, with freshman Kate Cansler scoring just before the half, leaving UHA halfway to a mercy rule win.
However, it would be Hopkinsville that would get on the board early in the second half when sophomore forward Keeli Miles ran on to a long ball to finish to the top left corner. UHA responded quickly with Covington adding her second goal, before Cansler would score her 2nd and 3rd to give the Lady Blazers a 9-1 lead with just over 8 minutes left. Covington capped her big night with a 4th goal after chasing down a rebound off a save by Hoptown sophomore goalkeeper Danea Richards. Junior Lilly Strader finished things off in style with a dipping, 25 yard strike over the outstretched hands of Richards, giving the Lady Blazers an 11-1 mercy rule win.
Both teams will find out their 2nd Region tournament quarterfinal opponent at the draw on Friday.
