The first two rounds set the stage: one for seeding, one for the district title. But it was Round 3 that decided the biggest prize — the 10th Region championship and a berth in the KHSAA Girls Soccer State Tournament.
In the regular-season district seeding match, Campbell County pulled off a 4-3 comeback win on September 17. Brossart answered in the district championship, claiming a 2-0 victory on October 9. With the series tied and everything on the line, it was the Lady ’Stangs who had the final say, rushing the field at Harrison County High School in celebration after a 3-1 title win over the Lady Camels.
The first meeting between the two told a very different story for a Bishop Brossart squad ranked No. 5 in the state. They had played like a top team all season, but that game proved to be a challenging moment for them.
“It feels pretty good,” freshman Rylee Fuller said. “I’m just so proud of us because we had some ups and downs throughout the season, especially the week we played them. The first time we were up three to zero at half and lost, but we kept it together and pushed through it.”
Like both prior matchups, the Lady ’Stangs struck early, with the same players leading the charge. Sophomore Kylie Smith and Fuller scored in the 14th and 15th minutes, respectively, combining for seven of Brossart’s eight goals against Campbell this season.
“It’s not just me, it’s our whole team,” Smith said. “I can’t do it without them. If the ball doesn’t get to me, there’s no chance for me to score. I have to give a big shoutout to our defense and midfield who always find me. That’s a big part of our game.”
Rachel Shewmaker added a third goal in the final minute of the first half, which proved to be the last for Brossart, but the defense held firm, limiting Campbell County to a single goal from Kennedy Crowley in the 73rd minute. The Lady ’Stangs have now outscored Campbell 8-4 across their three meetings this season.
It wasn’t just experience, or talented youth that carried them, it was a blend of all three that pushed Bishop Brossart to another title.
“Rachel Shewmaker, keeper Maddie Broering, both seniors, coming with some of the younger girls, I can’t say enough,” Bishop Brossart head coach Andy Smith said. “Rylee came in huge, Kylie, you can’t beat the work ethic, the talent to put the ball in the back of the net.”
Campbell County’s season ends at 14-8-3, ending an era as 16 of the 24 players on its roster will graduate. They close their four years with 53 wins, a state tournament victory, region title, district title and two region final appearances.
The Lady ’Stangs (20-2-3) advance to the first round of the KHSAA Girls Soccer State Tournament, where they’ll go on the road to face the 11th Region champion, either Paul Laurence Dunbar or Lexington Catholic. The 11th Region championship is scheduled for Saturday.
The last time Bishop Brossart reached the state tournament was in 2022, when they also defeated Campbell County at Harrison County.
“I’m super excited about the future, not just of the program, but this season,” Coach Smith said. “I think we’re gonna make a run.”