Set pieces are becoming a cornerstone of a historic Conner postseason run.
On Wednesday at Holmes High School, the Cougars leaned on their specialty to survive a relentless Highlands attack and secure a 2–1 victory in the 9th Region boys soccer semifinals.
With the win, Conner advances to the region championship on Saturday against perennial power Covington Catholic, marking the program’s first trip to a 9th Region final since 2008 and keeping alive the dream of a first-ever region title.
“It means everything,” Cougars Kellen Faulkner said.
The difference in the semifinal?
Corner kicks.
Dallas Marshall consistently delivered dangerous balls into the box, and Conner capitalized twice. Brayden Cranfield opened the scoring with a header 15 minutes into the contest, and Kellen Faulkner added another with just four seconds left before halftime.
“That’s at least the 12th goal we’ve scored off a set piece this season,” Cougars coach John Walker said. “We feel like we have some big and physical guys and they do a good job of getting a head on it.”
Marshall’s pinpoint service proved invaluable, and Conner rode those moments of precision into the second half with a 2-0 lead.
“I’m just aiming to score,” Marshall said. “Every game the corners decide whether or not we lose or we win.”
The set pieces loom large for the Cougars as the team’s leading scorer Grady Noble is out for the season after an injury in the district tournament.
PHOTOS: Slideshow provided by Charles Bolton
Despite the two-goal deficit, Highlands attacked even more. The Bluebirds peppered the net with 15 shots, eight of them on target. Several close-range attempts and even a penalty kick were unsuccessful, but persistence finally paid off in the 69th minute when Ethan Adhikary collected a rebound and fired it into the back of the net, narrowing the margin to 2–1.
From there, the game became a tense battle of wills.
“That felt like the longest 40 minutes of my life,” Cranfield said.
Conner weathered the Bluebirds’ attacks and had to rely on a remarkable story between the posts. Abram Dostal, a senior who moved from the Czech Republic last year, played goalie for the first time in his life this season — though he brought experience as a handball goalkeeper from back home.
“It transfers, definitely, for sure,” Dostal said. “With all the reaction and technique and stuff.”
He made several key saves, including one on a late penalty attempt, to preserve Conner’s lead.
“His hand instincts are just natural,” Walker said. “I’ve never watched handball, but you can tell he has really good hands.”
The Cougars now have a chance to write history against Covington Catholic, a perennial powerhouse, back at Holmes High School at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday. For Conner, the story is one of perseverance, precision, and seizing opportunity, especially in moments like set pieces where small margins make all the difference.
As for Highlands, the Bluebirds’ season ends at 10–6–1. While they fall short of a second straight region final, the program’s future remains bright. Only three seniors graduate from a squad that will once again be in the mix for a region title.
For Conner, however, the focus is entirely forward with 11 seniors on the roster.