When the scoreboard read 0-0 after regulation and two overtime periods, Covington Catholic didn’t panic — they smiled.
For the third time this postseason, the Colonels turned a deadlock into a victory from the penalty spot, knocking off South Oldham 4-3 in a dramatic penalty kick shootout in Tuesday night’s KHSAA Boys’ Soccer State Tournament semifinal at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School.
“It’s just ike every other thing in life, the more you practice it, the better you get at it,” Colonels keeper Booker Gifford said. “So I guess, yeah, it has helped a lot with going to PKs more when you’re in this type of situation.”
With the win, CovCath advances to Saturday’s state championship match — the program’s fourth trip to the final in the last decade — and remains unbeaten in semifinal appearances under head coach Jeremy Robertson.
“It wasn’t the prettiest game, but these kids are showing a lot of grit, man,” Robertson said. “Our athletic ability kept us in it, defense did awesome preserving the shutout.”
The Colonels confidence was tested early in the shootout. After Cole Bishop’s second-round shot was saved, the Colonels found themselves trailing 2-1 after two rounds. But as he’s done all postseason, junior goalkeeper Booker Gifford stood tall.
Gifford denied South Oldham’s Judah Walker in the fourth round, setting the stage for Tanner Robertson to put CovCath ahead 4-3 in the fifth. When Quin Brice’s potential equalizer sailed high over the crossbar, the Colonels charged the field in celebration — their third penalty kick triumph this postseason and sending them to the championship.
“When you have a keeper like Booker, yeah, it gives your team a little bit of confidence,” Robertson said. “He reacts really quick. He knows how to read the players and every single PK he is right there. Had a few he almost saved. Did a phenomenal job today.”
The shootout goals came from Cole Spaulding, Max Holocher, Leo Dyas, and Tanner Robertson. Spaulding led off the PKs, his preference.
“I’ve always decided to go first,” Spaulding said. “If you make it, it helps get everyone’s spirits up.”
The match leading up to the tiebreaker was every bit as tight as the final score suggested. South Oldham controlled possession early, forcing Gifford into a point-blank save midway through the first half. Bishop nearly broke the deadlock late in the period, but his shot was turned away by Dragons keeper Ethan Briscoe.
Both sides traded dangerous chances after halftime. CovCath rattled the crossbar on a Holocher shot, while South Oldham’s header off a corner kick was cleared just before crossing the goal line by a Colonels defender.
But when neither side could find the net after 80 minutes and two overtime periods, the Colonels entered their comfort zone.
“I know we got the best goalie in the state back there, so I knew we were going to win,” Spaulding said.
With the win, Covington Catholic improves to 4-0 all-time in state semifinals under Robertson and will look to capture its second state championship under his tenure, having last lifted the trophy in 2015.
The Colonels will play for the title Saturday at 4 p.m. at Lexington SC Stadium, the home of Lexington Sporting Club. They face the winner of Tuesday’s second semifinal between St. Xavier and Bryan Station.
“We’re excited about that,” Robertson said. “Just really happy for the boys. They’ve really showed some grit and paid attention to detail.”
Gifford finished with six saves in the match. Briscoe had three for the Dragons, who end their season at 17-3-1.
PHOTOS: Slideshow provided by Charles Bolton
