A position change made a difference and head coach Brian Woeste indicated this might not be the last one for the Notre Dame Pandas (2-0).
Senior Kimmie Woeste had been playing a center back defender position, but the staff moved her to a spot up top to use her creativity in the midfield. Woeste wound up scoring the only goal of the game with 25:54 remaining to lift the Pandas to a 1-0 win over the Bishop Brossart Mustangs (1-1) at the Buenger Sports Complex in Park Hills.
“I feel both halves were similar. I just felt like in the second half, we were a little more creative, a little more dynamic and had a little bit more quality in the final third,” Brian Woeste said. “We finally got that one to drop, which was huge. The moment that ball goes in, our confidence goes from 60-70 percent back up to 100.”
Kimmie Woeste had several free kicks leading up to that point, but senior Caroline Harper passed the ball to sophomore Sadie Yapp, who sent one to the right side that Kimmie Woeste hit past Bishop Brossart sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Broering.
This marked Kimmie Woeste’s first goal of the year and her varsity career. It also marked the first assist for Yapp and fourth for her varsity career.
“I think a lot happened right,” Kimmie Woeste said. “We got space at the top of the box. Caroline Harper served a great ball in and Sadie Yapp was able to get a great touch just to slow it down enough so I could run in and get a touch on it.”
Notre Dame played its usual ball-possession style soccer, constantly putting pressure on the Mustang defense. The Pandas outshot the Mustangs 28-2, with 17 on net to none for Bishop Brossart, giving senior goalkeeper Hannah Renaker a clean sheet.
“We take a lot of pride in being really tough in the midfield and on defense,” said Cameron Kirtley, Notre Dame junior midfielder. “I think especially in the midfield, (junior) Megan McGraw, whoever else was in there, we stepped up and didn’t let our players get past us because we have so much pride in not letting them turn us, not letting them get a chance.”
Defense gave the Mustangs a chance. Broering made 13 saves. The Mustangs helped her out, blocking a couple shots on goal and clearing free kicks and corner kicks. The Pandas had four corner kicks to none for the Mustangs.
“It’s not a coincidence that we compete with the top teams in the state year after year,” said Andy Smith, Brossart head coach. “We build our teams around our defense and my players have no quit in them.”
Notre Dame had 10 fouls to seven for Brossart. The Mustangs committed the game’s lone yellow card in the first half.
Notre Dame senior Hannah Knapke tried to dribble to her right in the box and drew a penalty kick with 26:43 left in the first half, but Broering stopped it.
The Pandas had another golden opportunity with 4:04 left in the half. Kirtley let one fly from the left side, but Broering saved it.
“I think we’re always going to stick with what we do well, which is keep the ball, move the ball and find pockets to apply pressure and take our chances when it makes sense,” Brian Woeste said. “I thought we did that well. I think it’s early in the season. The quality on that final ball is still developing and it’s getting better. I would give a lot of credit to Brossart’s back line and goalie. They did a fantastic job shutting down angles, keeping pressure on us, forcing us to make decisions quicker than maybe we would have otherwise liked to.”
Prior to Kimmie Woeste’s game-winner, Notre Dame had another decent chance. Yapp picked off a Brossart pass, dribbled to the right and found junior Riley Robertson wide-open in the middle. But Robetson’s shot sailed high.
“It does make a challenge,” Smith said of Notre Dame’s ball-possession game. “But I want to play the best teams in northern Kentucky every year early in the season to prepare us for the postseason.”
Notre Dame has won 15 of the 16 meetings between the two teams played since 2001. The teams tied 1-1 on Oct. 6, 2008 and this marked the sixth 1-0 Pandas win during that time.
The Pandas take on state power Sacred Heart (0-0-1) at home Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Bishop Brossart plays host to Montgomery County (1-0-1) at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Simon Kenton 2, Cooper 0
The Pioneers (2-0) earned another road win against a 9th Region squad, shutting out the Jaguars (0-2).
“(Cooper) very much zoned in on (sophomore forward) Alexis Howard on defense, which allowed our other threats to get in on the offensive side,” said Hillary Johnson, Simon Kenton head coach. “That’s essentially how we broke them down. Defensively, we did a great job containing them, stepping when we needed to step and dropping when we needed to drop. It was a great win. (Cooper senior) Maleah Alexander is an absolute threat. We always have to know where she is on the field.”
Senior forward Cam Ruble and sophomore midfielder Macie Bach scored the goals for the Pioneers. Senior midfielder Gracie Zepf had one assist with junior goalkeeper Fayth Tomlin recording six saves for the shutout.
“We worked on rebuilding through the offseason and getting better,” Ruble said. “I would say (our team chemistry) is good. But we’re still working on bonding and everything. It’ll help us work together and not put each other down.”
Simon Kenton plays at North Oldham (0-1) on Saturday at 10 a.m. Cooper hosts Anderson County on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
Conner 1, Lexington Dunbar 0
Teams are playing three games in the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular this year and the Cougars (2-0) beat their second Lexington opponent to open the season, shutting out the Bulldogs (0-2).
Conner outshot Dunbar, 10-4 and junior goalkeeper Ally Welch recorded four saves. Conner sophomore midfielder Reagan Buchert scored the game’s lone goal on a penalty kick.
“I think the difference for us this year is we’re deeper than last year. We have 18 on varsity and all 18 play,” said Mike Hughes, Conner head coach. “I feel like we have multiple levels so we’re not really losing a whole lot when we sub. It’s actually a different type of player. They have different dynamics they bring and it all gels really together.”
Conner travels to Henry Clay (0-1-1) on Saturday at 9 a.m. for the final game in the spectacular.
Beechwood 2, Ryle 1
The Guima Camil era got off to a positive note for the Tigers as they topped Ryle 2-1 on Wednesday evening.
Macy Yelton scored two goals in the victory, Rylie Kidman and Juliana Gutierrez added assists while Brooke Fowee had six saves in net.
Ella Hoenderkamp recorded the lone goal for Ryle, Gracie Carrigan with the assist.
All three goals happened in the final 10:34 of the game, Ryle taking a 1-0 lead before Beechwood scored with 5:07 and 3:09 left in the contest.
Beechwood looks to go to 2-0 when they play at Newport Central Catholic on Friday at 7 p.m., Ryle hosts Holy Cross on Monday at 7:45 p.m.
Campbell County 3, Bryan Station 0
Valerie Stephens put two in net, Jozie Holmes with the other as the Camels blanked Bryan Station on Wednesday in the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular.
Ryan Weghorn and Jillian Florimonte added assists while Morgan Roomes and Abi Medaugh combined for the shutout in goal.
The Camels return to the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular on Saturday to take on Frederick Douglass at 11 a.m.
Dixie Heights 4, Henry Clay 0
Maria Dilts, Jaden Allen, Keeley Polk and Karolyn Lighthall found the back of the net in the Colonels 4-0 shutout over Henry Clay in the Fayette County Spectacular.
Dilts, Lighthall and Abby Parsons dished out assists while Emery Rowland and Ashleigh Schlitt combined for the shutout in net.
Dixie Heights will take on Lafayette on Saturday at 9 a.m. to close out play in the Fayette County Spectacular at Tates Creek.
St. Henry 4, Newport Central Catholic 0
Jayne Knollman scored two goals, Madee Welch and Aubrey Logan the others as the Crusaders blanked NewCath on Wednesday.
St. Henry returns to action on Saturday when they host Archbishop McNicholas (OH) at 11:45 a.m., the Thoroughbreds host Beechwood on Friday at 7 p.m.
Other Scores
Dayton 2, Bellevue 2
Holy Cross 10, Holmes 0
Boone County 4, Pendleton County 0