University Heights Academy will have a good mix of veterans and youth as it chases its first Region 2 boys’ soccer championship since 2011.
The Blazers are coming off a 16-8 season that saw them lose 6-1 to Henderson County in the region championship in 2024.
Josh Nichols is at the helm of the team for the third year and said he likes his team’s chances at competing for a region title.
The Blazers are led by five seniors including Cadence Gibson, Hayden Hunt, Lincoln Hauret, Clayton Lester, and Ryan Luckey.
Lester and Luckey are what Nichols calls the “heart of the defense” and are two of the leaders of the team.
UHA will also count on the play of sophomore Jackson Estes and junior Paxton Aldridge in the back of their defense.
The Blazers graduated goalkeeper Eli Finch and Harlow Hampton, who were both key to the UHA defense that allowed only 44 goals a year ago.
Junior Hayden Fitzsimmons will start in goal. He played in 12 games last year and gave up 13 goals while making 26 saves.
At midfield, juniors Cal Givens and Hugh Sisk will join Hauret and junior Jack Cavanah and freshman Graham Conrad.
Givens scored nine goals and had five assists and Hauret was third on the team in scoring with 11 goals and seven assists last season.
Hunt is the top returning scorer with 22 goals and six assists from his striker position a year ago. The four-sport athlete is expected to give opposing defenses fits all fall.
However, Nichols said the Blazers will have plenty of options on offense this season.
Junior Jayden Williamson and freshman Jack Conrad also should see plenty of time at the top of the UHA offense this season.
The Blazers open the season Monday night at home against perennial Region 2 power Madisonville-North Hopkins.
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