We gave you the 50 greatest sports icons from NKY last summer. Since we had so much fun with that, we’re bringing you another list of the 50 greatest things this summer…The 50 greatest prep sports teams from NKY.Â
Each day for the next 50 days, we’ll release one of the area’s 50 greatest prep sports teams. It starts June 22 and runs into August. This is not a ranking 1-50, it’s just a collection of the 50 best sports teams ever assembled.
We’ll preface this by saying you may or may not agree with all 50 and that’s fine. Sports editor Evan Dennison assembled a panel of dedicated and longly-tenured NKY sports fans to weigh in and give their takes on who should be on the list. I trust those people because of their history and knowledge of the game in NKY. We compiled numerous lists and identified the most certain candidates for inclusion.Â
Some of the traits we sought in these teams were state championships (almost certainly a requirement), dominance, and standout players and coaches. We may have cheated a little by lumping some dominant teams together that achieved numerous consecutive state titles, but that gives a few more teams an opportunity to be recognized.Â
I hope you enjoy this, as sports are slow in the summer. This list serves as a way to remember the past a little and keep you entertained daily as it continues.
Another note, while we respect and give coverage to golf, tennis, wrestling, bowling, track and field and cross country, we consider those individual sports, so any teams from those sports will not make the list.
Here we go! Â
2021 NOTRE DAME GIRLS SOCCER
This Notre Dame soccer team wasn’t just statewide good, they were nationally good, finishing No. 3 in the nation by MaxPreps rankings. They went 28-0-1, outscored opponents 118-4 and set state records for wins and shutouts (25). They didn’t allow more than one goal in a game all season.
They had numerous players go on to play Division I soccer and were guided by first year head coach Suli Kayed. Opponents couldn’t focus on stopping just one scorer because dangerous threats existed all over the field. They were led by Marina Ruthsatz and Macie Feldman in goals with 18 apiece. Eleanor Simkonis and Kennedy Clark also scored double-digit goals on the season with 16 and 14, respectively. They had 18 players score at least one goal.
Top distributors were Feldman with 21 assists, Ellie Greenwell with 15, Clark with 12 and Ruthsatz with 10. Goalkeeper Abby Breeze posted a microscopic 0.10 goals-against average and recorded 22 individual shutouts. The back line, anchored by Natalie Bain and a veteran defensive unit, allowed only four goals all season.
The roster was loaded with college-level talent. Bain committed to Xavier, Kennedy Clark committed to Xavier and Greenwell committed to Ohio. Several other players would continue their careers at the collegiate level as well, reflecting the depth that separated Notre Dame from most opponents. Bain was the state tournament MVP, Amber Branum and Clark were named to the All-Tournament team.
The season culminated with a 1-0 victory over South Oldham in the state championship match. The lone goal came when Natalie Bain headed home a corner kick from Ellie Greenwell early in the second half, securing the program’s latest state title and the record-setting 25th shutout.
They were literally lights, camera, action as this was the first season for them with lights on their home field at the Buenger Sports Complex. Fittingly, one of the most dominant teams in state history became the first Panda squad to shine under the lights, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for a season that will forever be remembered in Northern Kentucky soccer history.
In the end, the 2021 Pandas weren’t simply champions, they set the standard. State-record wins. State-record shutouts. Only four goals conceded. A national top-three ranking. A roster full of future college players. Under a first-year head coach, they produced a season that remains one of the greatest ever seen in Kentucky girls soccer.
Here’s the rundown of the 50 greatest NKY prep sports teams day by day:
Day 1: 1998 Highlands Football
Day 2: 1963 Holmes Baseball
