Once they found their grove, University Heights Academy scored goals in clusters as they beat Christian County 8-0 Tuesday in the semifinals of the Eighth District Soccer Tournament. But it wasn’t easy for the top seed.
A combination of off-target shots and Christian County goalie Payton Hale stopping shots that were on target kept UHA’s offense at bay for most of the first half. Kate Cansler scored eight minutes in to give UHA a 1-0 lead. The Lady Blazers wouldn’t score again until four minutes left in the half when Lilly Strader found the back of the net to stake UHA to a 2-0 lead at intermission.
The Lady Blazers aimed to make a statement in the second half by starting strong and did just that as Strader scored two minutes into the second half for a 3-0 lead.
Cansler added a goal six minutes later off a missed shot to put UHA ahead 4-0. Strader would complete her ninth hat trick of the season in the 71st minute. Emerson Barlow, Alli Cundiff, and Strader would round out the scoring for the Lady Blazers. Strader has scored four goals in each of her last four matches and has 39 goals on the season. Strader and Cundiff also had assists.
UHA’s midfield and defense did a good job of controlling the possessions as goalie Lainey Burman saw only one shot attempt.
The same wasn’t true for Christian County goalie Payton Hale, who made 22 saves in the contest and kept the Lady Colonels from being mercy ruled.
Christian County’s season ends with a record of 5-13-1. Their only mercy rule loss this year was to UHA on September 14. Christian County was mercy-ruled six times in 2016 in winning just three games.
UHA improves to 14-3 with their sixth straight win. They will try and repeat at district champions for the first time in school history Wednesday when they meet Hopkinsville in the championship game. Hoptown beat Fort Campbell 3-2 in the other semifinal.