On a cool October night, University Heights Academy girls’ soccer coach Michael Parker was never so happy to get an icy shower.
Parker’s Lady Blazers earned their first Region 2 Soccer Tournament championship 2-1 over Hopkins County Central on Wednesday night at Givens Field.
It was Alyssa Grise’s shot with 21:16 remaining that proved to be the game winner for UHA, which improved to 19-2-1 on the season.
Parker was doused by his happy team after the match while talking about Grise’s shot.
Grise, a senior, normally sets up other players for the goals, but on Wednesday night, the ball found her feet and she was able to get off a clean shot.
Audrey Perry gave UHA a 1-0 lead on a shot that hit the cross bar, came down and struck the Lady Storm goalie’s back and trickled into the goal with 33:08 left in the first half.
The Lady Storm tied the game 1-1 on a free kick with 13:42 remaining in the half.
UHA had control of the ball most of the game, although it couldn’t take advantage. Kendall Hancock hit the right post at 16:24 of the first half and in the second half Hancock had several shots that barely missed their mark.
The Lady Blazers had 24 shots on goal, compared to only three by the Lady Storm. Parker said his team battled despite not being able to score. .
The Lady Blazers ended a 17-year drought, capturing their first region soccer championship since 2008.
Parker said this team had been building for this moment for many years.
UHA will play either Daviess County or Owensboro in the first round of the state tournament either Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. A date and time will be set following the Region 3 title game, which is scheduled for tonight at Meade County.
Photos by Joe Wilson