In the first game, the Jr. High Team lost a close game to Mercer Christian Academy 3-2. JoeJoe Breeden and Chance Blevins scored for the Warriors.
The second match featured the MCA and King’s Warriors varsity teams. MCA proved to be a fast, aggressive, and physical team that provided a real challenge for the Warriors. Forwards Austin Fink and Andrew Smith worked very hard and got off multiple shots, but none found the net. Midfielders Asher Bailey and Zoë Johnson provided great support for the attack. Midway through the first half, attacking center midfielder David Blume chipped the MCA goalkeeper beautifully, only to see the ball deflect off the left goal post. Not to be denied, he beat the MCA defense to the ball and dribbled through several players before netting the first goal of the 2017 fall season. He followed up with a second goal a few minutes later.
The Warriors made it 3-0 before the half when 7th grader Zach Fink came on briefly to allow Andrew Smith to receive some coaching pointers on the sideline. Zach was in the right place at the right time to put the ball away in an empty net.
The King’s Warriors defense proved impenetrable the entire match, helping goal keeper Jack Spurgin post a clean sheet for the season opener. The back line of Caleb Okes, Zach Brown, Ethan Buckland, and Matt Smith made few mistakes, covered each other well, and pressed the attack forward. Spurgin’s booming clearances kept the ball in the other team’s half most of the game.
Matt Smith opened the second half scoring with a thundering header off a corner kick, and Asher Bailey made it 5-0 after a beautiful passing sequence with David Blume.
Defensive mid-fielder Eli Blevins left the game late in the first half, forcing the King’s Warriors to scramble to fill his spot. Jacob Fink and Timmy Perkins answered the call. With the game well in hand, Harleigh Ellison, Zach Fink, and JoeJoe Breeden came on to help the Warriors to a convincing 5-0 win.
The Warriors have ten days to prepare for their next contest with Appalachian Bible College in Beckley, WV.