University Heights Academy’s soccer season came to an end Monday night in the first round of the Boy’s KHSAA State Soccer Tournament in Owensboro.
The Red Devils handed the Blazers a 7-0 setback in UHA’s first appearance in the state tournament since 2011.
The two teams played to a scoreless tie for the first 17 minutes but Brian Payne gave the host Red Devils a 1-0 lead with 23:00 remaining.
Owensboro pushed its lead to 2-0 with 11:00 left in the half on a goal by Max Knoop.
Denis Juma scored the first of his two goals just a minute later to make it 3-0 and the Red Devils added a fourth goal with 5:00 remaining in the half.
UHA had few chances in the first half. Its best opportunity came on a long ball passed over the top that Hayden Hunt ran down. The senior tried to flick it over Owensboro goalie Kaleb Davidson, but the ball went harmlessly over the goal.
The Red Devils scored with 22:00 remaining in the game to take a 5-0 lead and then added two quick goals in the final three minutes for the final score.
Payne and Juma each had a pair of goals to lead Owensboro, who improved to 19-2-2 on the season. Juma also had a pair of assists in the game. Valor Smith and Peter Mbayo also scored for Owensboro.
Jackson Sigler had a pair of assists and Mbayo, Connor Cundiff, and Kennedy Payne each had an assist.
Davidson stopped eight shots by the Blazers, who ended the season with an 18-7 record.
The Red Devils advance to play South Oldham Saturday in the quarterfinals.
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