Hopkinsville is playing their best soccer at the right time as the Tigers blitzed University Heights Academy 11-1 Wednesday to claim their third straight boys’ Eighth District soccer title. The game was called nine minutes into the second half due to the mercy rule.
Ryan Roussel opened the scoring for Hopkinsville eight minutes in when he took a pass from Caleb Joiner for a quick 1-0 lead. UHA quickly answered on a Will Bryan goal, his third in two postseason games less than a minute later.
Hoptown then dropped the hammer by scoring four goals in eight minutes to take a commanding 5-1 lead. Up 9-1 by halftime, Hoptown scored twice in the first nine minutes of the second half to end the match.
Roussel had four goals for Hoptown to bring his season total to 27. Ethan Noel notched a hat trick and added three assists to give him 44 helpers this year.
Joiner had two goals and an assist, and Newcomb Maddux scored the final goal of the match. Hoptown also got assists from Tyler Aldridge (2), Braden Casey, Welby Horn, and Tyler Greenwell.
Both Hopkinsville (16-4-1) and UHA (12-7-2) will advance to next week’s Second Region Tournament at the Stadium of Champions.