University Heights Academy got the balanced scoring they have been looking for and some strong second-half defense to beat St. Mary 7-4 Monday and claimed their first All-A Classic sectional title since 2013.
The Blazers now move on to the All-A Classic State Tournament Saturday, September 21 in Frankfort where they will play the winner of the 5th/6th Region sectional.
The first half featured a shootout with the teams combining to score 8 goals on 20 shots. Elvin Wagner scored off a corner kick from Connor Dill to put the Blazers up 1-0 in the first six minutes.
St. Mary answered with two quick goals as Joey Eggemeyer scored on a penalty kick that resulted from a questionable foul in the goal box. His first penalty kick attempt was saved by Blazer goalie Will Maxwell, but the referee said Maxwell moved before the kick. Eggemeyer was able to knock home the second attempt to tie the game at one.
Two minutes later, Jack Roof scored to give St. Mary a 2-1 lead. In the 26th minute, Dill headed home a rebound to knot the game at two.
However, St. Mary scored the next two goals in a three-minute span. The goals were scored by Roof and Michael Lurtz. University Heights then grabbed the momentum for good as William Bryan assisted Tanner Thomas on a goal in front to bring the Blazers to within one goal.
In the final minute of the half, Dill sent a pass out front to Bryan, who floated in a shot from 50 yards away that went over the head of the Viking’s goalie and into the net to tie the game at 4-4.
Bryan scored three minutes inside the second half off an assist from Wagner, and it was all Blazers from there. Thomas scored his second goal of the game with six minutes left that proved to be the back-breaker.
Scribby Goode added a penalty kick inside the final minute for the final three-goal margin. UHA outshot St. Mary 18-13.
Before the Blazers head off to Frankfort in two weeks for the All-A State Tournament, they have two district games on their plate starting Wednesday at home against Hopkinsville in a game that would give the winner the inside track at the number one seed in the 8th District Tournament.
