Hopkins County Central overcame a two-goal second-half deficit to stun Trigg County 3-2 and pick up the soccer program’s first-ever region tournament win Tuesday.
Julio Rivera-Mena’s goal with 2:30 left in the match put Hopkins Central ahead for the first time. It appeared at first the goal would be disallowed on an offsides call, but the center ref overruled the side judge saying the Trigg defender made a play on the ball and cited a recent rule change in allowing the go-ahead goal.
The game was a stark contrast to the Storm’s 3-2 win over Trigg County on October 8. Hopkins Central got off to a fast start in that one and held off a late Trigg rally.
On Tuesday, it was Trigg County who got out to the fast start. Will Jolly fed Keller Nichols for the game’s first goal in the 31st minute. The one-goal margin stood at halftime.
One minute into the second half, Jolly picked up his second assist when Ben Futrell redirected his free kick in to put the Wildcats ahead 2-0. However, Hopkins Central maintained pressure in the Trigg end of the field for most of the second half. They outshot the Wildcats 10-3 in the second half and 14-8 for the game.
The Storm broke through in the 63rd minute with Rivera-Mena redirected a shot into the right corner of the goal. Four minutes later, Carson Mackey added the equalizer to tie the game at two and give the Storm the momentum for the final 13 minutes.
Hopkins Central made the program’s first-ever region tournament trip four years ago and now has the program’s first-ever region tournament win. The Storm 6-7-1 on the season and will play Henderson County in Wednesday’s semi-finals. The Colonels beat Christian County 4-0 in Hopkinsville in the other semifinal.
The Wildcats see their soccer season end with a record of 6-5-2.
