The King’s Warriors Soccer Club is rebuilding, having graduated multiple great players. But even with a co-ed team and players as young as 10 years old, they are still having good success. The Warriors opened August 21 against Covington Boys Home. Despite 2 goals from Aaron Smith and 1 from Chance Blevins the Warriors lost 6-3. They then traveled to Greensboro, NC, for their annual doubleheader. They defeated High Point Home Educators Association 7-1, and Shining Light Academy 10-1. In the first game, Chance Blevins had a hat trick, while Aaron Smith, Andrew Smith, Jayden Cox, and Jake Dickens each had one. In the second game Aaron Smith bagged 5 goals, Noah Stoneback netted a brace, and Chance Blevins, Jayden Cox, and Marley Stoneback all added one apiece.
September was busy opening with a tournament sponsored by Boy’s Home on September 4. The Warriors were tied with Boys Home 2-2 at halftime, but lost 4-2. Aaron Smith scored both goals. They also fell to Mt. Mission 3-1 with Chance Blevins getting the goal, but rebounded to defeat Alleghany County 5-0. Blevins scored a hat trick, and Jayden Cox and Marley Stoneback each scored one.
The Warriors traveled to Beckley on Labor Day for their annual game with Appalachian Bible College. ABC fielded a strong team, and pounded the young Warriors 8-1. Chance Blevins scored the lone goal on an indirect kick from Will Smith.
The Warriors then came out flat against Mercer Christian on September 10. They fell behind six goals before halftime. Wanting to save face, they came out strong the second half, playing the Cavaliers even, losing by a final score of 8-3. Aaron Smith had a hat trick.
The King’s Warriors got back on the winning track against Lewisburg Baptist Academy on Sept. 16. Aaron Smith scored two, LBA gave up an own goal, and Andrew Helmick and Adalee Blevins scored their first varsity goals enroute to a 5-0 win.
On September 18, the King’s Warriors played in a second Boys Home invitational tournament. They played well, defeating Alleghany County 4-0 (Aaron Smith-2, C. Blevins-1, Dickens-1); tying Boys Home 1-1 (C. Blevins); and defeating Oak Hill Academy 4-0 (C. Blevins 3, Aaron Smith-1).
The Warriors traveled to Teays Valley, WV, on Sept. 25 to take on the Ignite Home School team. Ignite was the only team to defeat the Warriors during last year’s regular season. In a shock result, Blevins scored 2, forced an own goal, and Aaron Smith added another to claim a 4-2 victory.
Looking to build on that result, the Warriors hosted Mercer Christian in a rematch on Sept. 27. Seeking to wipe out the memory of their 8-3 debacle, the Warriors came out strong. Aaron Smith scored two quick goals to claim a 2-0 early lead. The Cavaliers got on the board to make it 2-1. Smith added a third, but MCA answered with two more for a 3-3 halftime tie. Jayden Cox put the Warriors ahead again in the second half on a direct free kick, but the Cavaliers scored two more to take a 5-4 lead late in the game. With only a few minutes remaining, Chance Blevins was awarded a penalty kick when he was taken down from behind in the penalty area, but was unable to convert. MCA held on to claim the 5-4 win and hand the King’s Warriors a heartbreaking loss.
The Warriors will have a busy October as they continue to prepare for the NACA Tournament, to be held November 3-5 in Dayton, TN.
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