The University Heights Academy Lady Blazers are all business when it comes to the 2025 high school soccer season.
After an overseas trip in July to play in the prestigious Gothia Cup, UHA is hoping the Swedish experience will help them claim their first Region 2 title since 2008 and their second in school history.
UHA is coming off a 15-4 season which ended in the region semifinals with a 2-0 loss to the Lady Blazers’ nemesis, Henderson County.
The Lady Blazers did not lose any seniors to graduation and Parker said this year’s team is much better than a year ago.
Junior striker Kendall Hancock gets much of the attention and deservedly so. Hancock is coming off a season where she scored 49 goals and provided 16 assists.
But Parker said the Lady Blazers’ offense often starts in the back with goalkeeper Madison Williams.
During her sophomore season last year, Williams started all 19 games and only allowed 18 goals. She also was credited with nine shutouts.
However, Williams has plenty of help in the back with senior Emma Tyler, junior Kate Cayce, junior Kate Adams, and senior AJ Oatts returning.
At times, Parker said he will drop junior Gracie Ausenbaugh and senior Cecelia Langhi could move up to midfield.
Offensively, senior Audrey Perry returns at midfield along with senior Alyssa Grice and senior Skyler Cantrell.
Perry acts as the team’s point guard. She was second on the team in scoring (23) and led the team in assists (17) a year ago.
Ausenbaugh had 16 goals in 2024. Grice and Cantrell combined to score nine goals and provide 14 assists.
Parker said he is still tinkering with his formation as the season begins.
Depth won’t be a problem for the Lady Blazers this year as it has been in the past. Parker knows he will need the play of senior Maggie Mohon, junior Kate Lynn Gibson, junior Palin Hampton, sophomore Ann Hampton, and sophomore Pressley Bruce if the team is going to make a run to the state tournament.
Due to playing in the Gothia Cup, UHA had to reduce its schedule. Parker also believes the Lady Blazers will make a deep run in the All “A” State Tournament. The coach, who is beginning his 12th season with the team, said games against perennial powers Greenwood, South Warren, Marshall County, Daviess County, and Madisonville-North Hopkins should help his team compete for a region title.
UHA will open its 2025 season tonight at Greenwood.
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