University Heights Academy’s run at the Boys’ All-A Classic State Soccer Tournament came to an end at the hands of the one of the top teams in the state regardless of class. Collegiate scored 10 goals in the first 60 minutes to beat the Blazers 10-0 in the semifinals Saturday in Frankfort. Earlier in the day, UHA advanced past the first round for the first time since 2007 with a 3-0 win over Louisville Holy Cross.
Against Collegiate, the Blazers held their own against the three-time defending All-A state champs for the first 21 minutes of the contest. The only goal was a penalty kick awarded to Collegiate on a questionable foul called on UHA goalie Will Maxwell who scooped up a loose ball then made contact with a player. Achille Baraka banged home the PK for a 1-0 lead with 31:20 left.
The luck got worse for UHA when Collegiate went up 2-0 on an own goal by the Blazers with 18:46 left.
UHA’s inability to advance the ball into their end of the field gave Collegiate a short field to play on, and they took advantage by scoring four times in the final 5:43 for a 6-0 halftime lead.
The Titans kept up the pressure in the second half and scored four goals in the first 20 minutes to end the contest by mercy rule. It was the first time in 32 matches that UHA had lost by ten goals.
Max Jamie recorded a hat trick for Collegiate (13-2), who will play Prestonsburg for the All-A title Sunday. Baraka added two goals for the Titans. They outshot UHA 19-1.
Earlier in the day, the Blazers wanted to make sure there would be no early hole to overcome against Louisville Holy Cross. Will Bryan scored twice in a minute midway through the first half to help the Blazers to a 3-0 win and pick up the school’s first win at the All-A state tourney since 2007.
Bryan took a feed from Tanner Thomas to put the Blazers ahead 1-0 with 20:03 left in the first half. Just 45 seconds later, the UHA junior weaved through traffic and sent home his second goal to double the Blazer lead.
UHA was able to control midfield for most of the game and limited the Cougars to two shots in the first half and five for the game. The Blazers, meanwhile, had 14 shots.
Elvin Wagner sent a Thomas corner kick off his noggin at the 10:33 mark of the game for an insurance goal and the final three-goal margin.
UHA was making their first appearance at the All-A Classic state tourney since 2013 and their win was their first since a victory over Somerset in 2007.
Tanner Thomas and Will Bryan were named to the All-A Classic State Tournament team. The Blazers (9-4) will play at Trigg County Monday.
