In a high school boys’ soccer match that took two nights to complete due to weather, the Hopkinsville Tigers upset University Heights Academy 1-0 Wednesday night at the Stadium of Champions.
Jason Macario’s goal was the difference for the Tigers, who earned the No. 1 seed in next month’s District 8 tournament with the victory. UHA will be the No. 2 seed in the tournament.
Macario, one of the smallest players on the field, found himself at the right place at the right time with 19:00 remaining in the scoreless contest. The Tigers sent the ball into the box and after it was deflected several times, Macario got a foot on it and sent it into the back of the net.
The two teams started the game Tuesday night but the game was halted with 2:11 to go when storms rolled into the area. The game resumed at that point Wednesday night.
After Macario’s goal, the Tigers had two other scoring chances in the next few minutes that were turned away by the Blazers’ goalie Hayden Fitzsimmons, who finished the game with four saves.
UHA had a couple of scoring opportunities of their own in the final minutes, but as they frantically tried to tie the game, Hoptown keeper Raul Rivera was able to keep the Blazers at bay. Rivera finished the game with six saves.
Hopkinsville improved to 8-4-1 overall and 4-0 in District 8 play. UHA dropped its fourth straight match and fell to 10-6 overall and 2-1 in district play.
The Tigers return to play Saturday afternoon at Webster County while the Blazers look to end their losing skid against Henderson County tonight at home.
Photos by Joe Wilson