The two boys’ soccer heavyweights in the 2nd Region squared off Tuesday night, with Hopkinsville and Henderson County providing a 10 goal thriller. The Colonels and the Tigers, who share the top spot in the YourSportsEdge.com 2nd Region rankings, remain undefeated against 2nd Region teams and what was once seen as a formality has become a very interesting regional race between two teams ranked in the state coaches’ poll.
The Tigers, ranked 12th in the state coaches’ poll, entered at 8-2, with losses to 7th ranked Warren Central (13-1) and #14 Daviess County (11-3). Henderson, ranked 20th, came in at 11-1-1, with their only loss coming against 4th ranked Trinity (10-1).
Senior forward Caleb Joiner put the Tigers on top 8 minutes in off an assist from senior midfielder Ethan Noel. Over the next 20 minutes senior midfielder Armando Zamarippa exploded, putting up 3 goals on assists from junior Cale Wright and junior midfielder Sam Cloutier to give the Colonels a 3-1 lead. Ethan Noel would get one back in the 39th minute, leaving Henderson with a 3-2 halftime lead.
Just as in the first half, Hoptown’s Joiner struck early, tying the match and sparking a Tiger surge over the next 15 minutes that included 2 goals from senior midfielder Braden Casey, with junior forward Ryan Rousell notching an assist. The Tigers’ 5-3 lead would hold until junior midfielder Max Wawrin scored with less than 10 minutes remaining, setting the stage for more Zamarippa heroics. With less than a minute to play he got on the end of a corner kick to knot the score at 5, denying the Tigers what would have been their 6th straight win over the Colonels.
Up next for the Tigers is a Thursday visit from 10th ranked McCracken County (12-1), while Henderson goes on the road to take on the 9-2-1 Calloway County Lakers.