Hillsdale Academy surprises Jackson Christian to roll into boys soccer district finals

The Hillsdale Academy boys soccer team keeps soaring to new heights and that journey didn't end Wednesday in the second round of district play.

Eric Lisznyai beat several defenders one-on-one off a pass from George Smith to net the lone goal of Hillsdale Academy's 1-0 win over Jackson Christian in Kalamazoo. Lisznyai scored the goal just three-and-a-half minutes into the contest and the Academy defense and goal keeper Peter Sullivan were staunch the rest of the way.

“My kids just forget about the stakes and just meet the challenge,” Academy head coach Neal Brady said after his young team beat a Royals squad they had lost to 6-3 earlier this year.

One of the key differences this time around was the presence of Colts' freshman defender Chip Blood, who was absent from the team's first meeting.

Wednesday Blood marked the Royals' top forward Sam Kane and held him scoreless, forcing other Jackson Christian players to try and step up.

“Chip was up for the challenge. I think it wore him out a little bit at times, chasing Kane, but we got him a few breathers and he was back out there doing  great job,” Brady said. “Kane is usually the finisher and the other guys are not used to having so much pressure on them to score I don't think.”

Brady said Sullivan made a diving stop on a point-blank shot with around five minutes left in the game, to help send the Colts into Saturday's district championship game.

They will practice the next two days before playing the winner of tomorrow's Calhoun Christian-Kalamazoo Heritage Christian at 1 p.m. in Kalamazoo.