The King’s Warriors Soccer Club journeyed to the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina Saturday, Sept. 8, for a soccer double-header. They opened with High Point Home Educators Association at 1:00, then traveled across town to Greensboro to take on Shining Light Academy at 4:00.
The high light of the day was Matt Smith’s back-to-back “hat tricks.” He banged in three goals in the first half against High Point to give his team a commanding 3-0 half time lead. Several defensive miscues in the second half allowed the home team to get back in the game, but the King’s Warriors held on for a 3-2 win.
Just a little over an hour later the team took the field again. The King’s Warriors started their younger, less experienced players against the young, developing Shining Light Academy. The King’s Warriors held their own, and Matt Smith came on to score late in the half to provide a 1-0 half time lead. Smith added two more in the second half. Timmy Perkins gave Jack Spurgin a one-game reprieve from goal tending duties and turned in a clean sheet. Spurgin responded by scoring the final goal of the game, a real screamer to the right upper 90 from 30 years out. Final Score: 4-0.
The King’s Warriors developmental squad led the way again on Monday, Sept. 10, when they took on the Greenbrier Academy at Hilldale Community Park. The Academy surprised the Warriors with a goal late in the first half, but Eli Blevins came on to equalize just before the whistle signaled for half-time. Only about five minutes of the second half could be played due to repeated lightning delays; the game was finally called due to the storm and darkness. Fortunately, Chance Blevins was able to knock in the game winner during those five minutes of the second half for the 2-1 win.
The King’s Warriors will now focus on preparations to play Grace Christian Academy in Huntington, WV. Grace Christian is one of the finest high school soccer teams in the state; they will host the Warriors this Saturday, Sept. 15, 1:00pm, at the Barboursville Soccer Complex.