When the drawing took place Saturday morning at Dixie Heights, all indications pointed to this one turning into the tightest of the four 9th Region girls soccer quarterfinal games.
It lived up to the billing as the host Highlands Bluebirds (13-6-3 overall) pulled out the tight 1-0 victory over the Conner Cougars (13-9-2) at Tower Park. The Bluebirds advanced to the 9th Region semifinals for the tenth straight season and will take on host Dixie Heights (12-7-3) on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
The loss ends the season for Conner, which made it to the region tournament for the fourth year in a row.
“That’s the one thing as a coach that’s not about the wins and losses as much,” said Mike Hughes, Conner head coach. “It’s knowing that you gave yourselves a chance to win no matter how the game was going. We’re a young team. But it says the most about our seniors. You see it day in and day out. We’ve had two injuries recently. But the seniors helped keep the younger kids focused. When they were under pressure, they were able to kick the ball out.”
Highlands outshot Conner, 14-6 including a 6-2 mark on goal. But the Bluebirds made the most of one with 1:53 left in the first half.
Junior midfielder Claire Cavacini took one in the middle and slid it left to the leading Highlands goal-scorer in junior forward Laney Smith. Smith put it in for her 30th goal of the season.
“We were able to score because we pulled (Conner senior) Juliet Strange to the top of the 18 (foot line),” said Chris Norris, Highlands head coach. “Claire gets a great touch and Laney’s able to get that overlapping run in and open up a shot on goal. They didn’t give very many scoring opportunities. I thought they did a very nice job of shutting us down and picking up all of our crosses very easily.”
Cavacini has seven assists this year. That is third behind nine from Smith and junior Lindsay Stein, who have nine each.
Conner sophomore goalkeeper Ally Welch made five saves and Highlands freshman goalkeeper Natalie Hinegardner made two. Norris could not say enough about facing the all-around solid Strange.
“You absolutely have to play around her. She wins everything in the air. She’s good with ground clearances,” Norris said. “Every ball she hit landed on the other side of the field. They get the ball into our defensive half super quick, which forces us to recover. Then when we get the ball, we have to work it up. I thought we possessed the ball well. But every time we lost the ball, it’s a 60-yard recovery run.”
“In the second half, we brought the intensity,” Stein said. “We need to keep it throughout the entire week.”
The game had some physical play with Highlands drawing four fouls to three for Conner. The Bluebirds had two yellow cards.
“I think we’ve learned to communicate with each other more because at the beginning of the season, we weren’t doing it as well,” said Ava Meyer, Highlands junior defender. “But I think we’ve really stepped it up, which is helping. I hope this improved our confidence and shows we need to keep pushing forward and keep working hard.”
Conner graduates seven seniors from the team in Strange, midfielder Hailey Oliver, forward/midfielder Breanna Maidens, goalkeeper Mary List, defender/midfielder Kaliegh Cranfield, defender Rachel Herron and senior forward/midfielder Elaina Keller.
Other Girls Soccer Scores
9th Region Quarterfinals
Dixie Heights 4, Beechwood 0
The Colonels (12-7-3) won their sixth in a row to advance to the 9th Region Semifinals for the fourth year in a row with the win over the Tigers (10-7-3).
Senior Ashtyn Ivey, freshman Aubrey Elkins and senior Mariah Wolff had goals for Dixie Heights. Freshman Hailey Hall had two assists and junior Karolyn Lighthall added another.
St. Henry 3, Ryle 0
Senior Mandy Schlueter had a had trick to help the Crusaders (13-5-2) make it back to the region semifinals for the first time since 2018. Schlueter has 34 goals on the season.
Senior midfielder Lani Keipert had two assists and sophomore forward Chloe Shea had one. The Crusaders take on Notre Dame at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Dixie Heights.
Notre Dame 8, Newport Central Catholic 0
The Pandas (16-3-2) handled the Thoroughbreds (7-12-1) to make it back to the semifinals. They have played for region championships nine out of the 10 years since the current 9th Region format came about in 2012.
10th Region Quarterfinals at Harrison County
Campbell County 5, Montgomery County 0
The Camels (12-3-7) handled the Indians (11-10-3) to advance to the semifinals where they take on the host Fillies (6-12) at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Senior forward Ruby Dunlevy once again led the way with two goals and one assist with sophomore Jozie Holmes recording one goal and two assists. Dunlevy has team-highs of 19 goals and 11 assists for 49 points.
Senior midfielder Addie Schumacher had one goal and one assist. Senior midfielder Ambria Poynter and freshman forward Kennedy Crowley had the other two Camel goals with junior midfielder Valerie Stephens tallying an assist.
Bishop Brossart 10, Pendleton County 0
The Mustangs (11-8-4) advanced to the region semifinals with a sound win over the Wildcats (8-12). They take on George Rogers Clark (14-3-2) at 8 p.m. Wednesday in the region semifinals.
8th Region Quarterfinals
Simon Kenton 8, Anderson County 0
The Pioneers (13-4-4) put up 13 shots on goal defeating the Bearcats (12-8-1) at home. Senior goalkeeper Olivia York only had to make one save. Senior Sophie Decker had a hat trick in the win.
Simon Kenton plays Oldham County (9-8-1) in the region semifinals on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Carroll County. The championship game is Thursday at 6 p.m.
South Oldham 9, Walton-Verona 0
The Bearcats (15-6-1) drew the region favorite Dragons (17-2) and saw their season end on the road. They graduate three seniors in goalkeeper Payton Kenny, defender McKaila Hatton and midfielder Kaylee Neace.
Boys Soccer
8th Region Quarterfinals
South Oldham 3, Simon Kenton 2
The Pioneers (9-9-4) could not overcome a 2-0 deficit losing to the Dragons (9-7-5) at home in the first round of the tournament.
Junior forward Dominick Dornbusch scored both goals for Simon Kenton. Freshman goalkeeper Miles Mullen had four saves.
Volleyball Scores
Walton-Verona 3 (25-20, 25-17, 25-9), Gallatin County 0
Highlands 3 (25-11, 25-22, 25-20), Boone County 0
Bracken County 2 (23-25, 25-22, 25-17), Dayton 1
Owen County 2 (25-18, 25-12), Calvary Christian 0
Cincinnati (Ohio) Seton 3 (25-20, 25-15, 18-25, 25-13), Ryle 1
St. Patrick 2 (23-25, 25-20, 25-17), Heritage Academy 1
Campbell County 2 (25-18, 25-21), Harrison County 0