University Heights Academy got some key performances from its freshmen in a 2-1 win at Caldwell County on Thursday in the championship game of the 2nd Region All A Classic.
Logan Miller tallied what proved to be the game-winning goal, and Eli Finch made some key stops in the net down the stretch to preserve the UHA lead.
The teams battled through most of the first half before either side found the net.
Caldwell (2-2) thought it had taken a 1-0 lead in the 28th minute on a nifty pass from Blake Vivrette to Grayden Miller. Miller headed home the shot, but a questionable offsides call wiped off the goal.
UHA (3-2) took advantage, getting a goal just before halftime to take a 1-0 lead to the break. Ethan Hale followed a shot off of Caldwell goalkeeper Corbin Nichols, who had come out to challenge. Hale beat a Tiger defender to the ball and finished into an empty net. That came in the 38th minute.
The Blazers struck again early in the second half. Miller gathered in a loose ball near the right corner of the box and put a shot into the net on the opposite side to make it 2-0. That came in the 46th minute.
Meanwhile, Finch took over in the UHA net for Will Maxwell midway through the second half. Finch made several key saves, but Caldwell did find the net in the 68th minute to make things interesting down the stretch.
Vivrette beat a UHA defender to the ball in the corner and sent a pass across the front of the net. Nick Adams was waiting on the other side and sent the ball back into the net to make it a 2-1 contest.
Caldwell had some chances, but Finch kept the Tigers off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Caldwell held a 14-10 advantage in shots in the contest.
University Heights will next host 1st Region champion Murray in the next round at a date to be determined. Murray defeated Mayfield 2-1 in PKs Thursday night.
Caldwell visits 7th District favorite Madisonville-North Hopkins on Monday.
