University Heights Academy overcame a slow start to defeat Fort Campbell 7-0 Thursday and claim their first boys’ soccer All-A Classic region title in five years.
Fort Campbell was coming off their best game of the season in the semifinals, an 8-2 win over Lyon County Tuesday, while University Heights beat Caldwell County 8-0 on the same night.
However, the good wins did not translate over to the first 25 minutes of Thursday’s championship match. University Heights did strike first in the 13th minute when Simon East took a corner kick from Ian Calvert and found the back of the net for an early 1-0 lead.
Neither team could get into a flow after the goal much to the consternation of both coaches. After UHA Coach Mike Smith made a lineup adjustment, Will Bryan quickly responded with a goal in the 30th minute. Bryan appeared to touch the pass with his hand which prompted a brief protest from Fort Campbell Coach Michael Massie, but the goal stood.
The backbreaker goal came from Elvin Wagner with five minutes left in the half that put the Blazers up 3-0, giving them all of the momentum heading into the intermission.
Any hopes Fort Campbell had at changing the momentum in the second half ended when they were called for roughing three minutes in and resulting in a penalty kick that Calvert banged home for a 4-0 lead.
Calvert added his second goal of the game six minutes later with East and Connor Dill rounding out the scoring for the Blazers.
UHA’s defensive backs played well throughout the game and limited the chances Dan Johnson saw in net for the Blazers, who notched their third shutout in their last four games.
Fort Campbell, who was looking for their first All-A soccer region title in program history, managed just four shots in the contest.
The All-A title is the first for the Blazers since 2013 when they beat Mayfield in the sectionals and advanced to the All-A state tournament.
UHA will play Murray Saturday in Murray in the All-A sectional. Game time will be announced Friday.