With the start of the soccer postseason days away, it’s safe to say that the top teams are playing some of their best soccer of the season. There is no runaway favorite to win the region. The only two outcomes are that Hopkinsville will win their fourth straight region title or someone will unseat them. Buckle up.
1) Henderson County (13-3-2) – The Colonels may disagree with the observation about playing their best soccer of the season. They had to score two late goals to put away a short-handed Trigg County team and lost to Marshall County 3-2 at home Tuesday. They still have the top KHSAA RPI among region teams and will enter the postseason as the slight favorite.
2) Hopkinsville (12-7-1) – The Tigers enter the weekend on a five-match winning streak. A win over Greenwood would make it six. After scoring 26 goals in their first 15 games of the soccer season, Hopkinsville has scored 23 during their current five-match winning streak. The Tigers are getting healthy for the first time this season. If they can advance out of the district as champions, it will make their region path a smidge easier.
3) Madisonville (14-3-2) – The Maroons last lost on Sept. 17 to Daviess County – a span of eight straight games. Their defense has allowed just three goals during the span. They allowed one goal in a tie with Henderson County and two goals in a loss to Hopkinsville. They could be the team that surprises both Hopkinsville and Henderson County come region time.
4) Trigg County (12-3-2) – Two of Trigg County’s losses came in the past week to Henderson County and Hopkinsville. The Wildcats played both without leading scorer Will Jolly and Coach Josh Nichols (red cards). They will have everyone on board for their district championship game with Lyon County Monday ahead of the region tournament.
5) University Heights (11-6-1) – The Blazers have struggled a bit since the All-A Classic State Tournament but appeared to get back on track in a 5-2 win over Hopkins County Central this week. UHA will need to square away a defense that has allowed 28 goals in their last six games.
6) Hopkins County Central (4-10-3) – The Storm have been up and down this year but have played well against the top teams in the region. Those losses include a 4-1 loss to Hoptown, a 4-0 setback to Madisonville, and a 5-2 defeat to UHA. They could be a tough out in the region tournament if they can get past Caldwell County at the district level.
7) Caldwell County (4-10-1) – The Tigers are playing better in the past three weeks, going 3-3-1 after a 1-7 start. The only thing standing in their way of a region tournament berth is a Hopkins County Central team they beat in the penalty kick round Sept. 17. Like that game, the district tournament game will be at the Butler Stadium.