The King’s Warriors suffered a tough loss against Oak Hill Academy on Saturday, Oct. 13. Chance Blevins worked hard to score midway through the second half to give his side a brief 1-0 lead. But then several defensive lapses and a game-ending injury to center back Andrew Smith spelled doom for the King’s Warriors. The usually stalwart defense gave up three goals in the last seven minutes of play to fall 3-1.
The young King’s Warriors spent the next week recovering from that defeat and preparing for their invitational tournament, which they hosted at Hilldale Community Park on Saturday, Oct. 20. Playing primarily their JV team, the Warriors first defeated Greenbrier Academy 5-0 with goals from Ailena Bezek, Brianna Cook, and Andrew Smith. Josh Okes added a brace, his first goals for the King’s Warriors varsity team.
The second match featured the first encounter between the King’s Warriors and Covington, VA. While the Warriors dominated most of the game, they had a difficult time finding the back of the net. Ailena Bezek finally tapped in the lone goal of the game and the game winner off a corner kick for the King’s Warriors.
The Warriors closed out the day on a high note with a decisive 7-1 win over New Castle, VA. Caleb Okes opened the scoring, then Chance Blevins scored a brace and added an assist with a beautiful through pass to put Matt Smith through for a goal. Aaron Smith and Zach Brown scored their first goals of the season. Ailena Bezek notched another goal to become the only player to score in all three matches of the day. Jack Spurgin barely missed getting another shut out when a penalty kick was given and scored just before the final whistle.
The King’s Warriors ended their regular season with a record of 9-6-2, scoring 38 goals, while giving up 27. Striker Chance Blevins led the scoring with 8 goals, Matt Smith had 7, Eli Blevins 6, and Ailena Bezek 4. The defense posted 5 shutouts.
The King’s Warriors will now travel to Dayton, TN, for the National Association of Christian Athletes annual fall soccer tournament October 24-26, 2018.