The St. Henry Crusaders boys golf team has consistently been in the hunt for the “All A” state championship during Jerod Cahill’s tenure as head coach.
The Crusaders have finished in the top three of the “All A” state tournament six years in a row with championships in 2020 and 2016. They earned a shot at another one after winning a tenth straight “All A” 9th Region crown, shooting a score of 311 at A.J. Jolly Golf Course in Alexandria.
“We had a team that just played consistent golf,” Cahill said. “We always preach consistency, grind and grit so we always expect kids to act the way they’re supposed to act and work hard. That’s what we saw (Tuesday).”
Senior Kevin Tobergte shot a 73 on the 18-hole course to lead the way. Sophomore Will Hammond shot 78 with sophomore twin brothers Ben Carter and Will Carter shooting 79 and 81 respectively to cap off the Crusader scoring. Tobergte and the Carter twins golfed in the “All A” State Tournament last year and Tobergte said experience has helped him with the mental part of the game.
“If you hit a bad shot, you hit a bad shot,” Tobergte said. “It’s all part of the game. You just have to forget about it and move on. The only thing that should be on your mind is how you’re going to play the next shot. You just can’t let it fluster you and get in your head.”
Newport Central Catholic junior Caleb Eaglin won the All A individual crown shooting a 73. Villa Madonna took second overall. But Brandon Campling shot a 79 to also qualify for state.
Girls Soccer
Dixie Heights 4, Lexington Henry Clay 0
The Colonels won their second game in the Fayette County Spectacular to win the Group C round-robin, taking down the host Blue Devils. The game completed before thunder and lightning came into the area.
“It’s exciting to see a senior-led team that welcomes the contribution from freshmen,” said Chris Sturm, Dixie Heights head coach. “It really makes for a good, exciting environment for all the kids.”
Dixie Heights will play again in the tournament semifinals Saturday back against Henry Clay against the winner of Group B, which will be Campbell County, Lexington Lafayette or defending champion Bardstown Bethlehem.
Senior forward Abigail Kopp led Dixie Heights with a goal and two assists. Junior forward Ashtyn Ivey added one goal and one assist.
Sophomore midfielder Abby Parsons and freshman Hailey Hall added the other goals with senior midfielder Reese Smith recording an assist. Hall has two goals in two games for the Colonels.
Dixie Heights outshot Henry Clay, 11-1 on goal. Colonels senior goalkeeper Sarah Legg had to make one save. Legg credited the defense in front her with the likes of senior defenders Sammy Berman, Sloane Sturm and junior Hailey Kidd for helping her record her first shutout of the season.
“We worked together very well,” Legg said. “The team did well communicating. Sammy Berman had great tackles defending off the ball.”
Newport Central Catholic 9, Bellevue 0
The Thoroughbreds opened the season with a convincing win in 36th District action on the road against the Tigers (0-2) in a full game.
Senior forward Karly Enginger led NewCath with five goals. Senior midfielder Leah Meyer, senior defender Kayla Ahlbrand, junior Jill Schneider and sophomore forward Olivia Schumacher added goals.
NewCath travels to Ryle (0-1) on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. game. Bellevue plays host to Boone County (1-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Several Games Called Off
Games can be played in rain but teams have to clear the field if lightning is in the area. Games that make it to halftime are considered completed games if they are not able to continue.
Lightning crept into the area late Tuesday forcing the cancellation of several games such as Holy Cross at Ryle and St. Patrick at Villa Madonna. Conner at Bishop Brossart played for nine minutes, 47 seconds before being called off and Newport Central Catholic at Simon Kenton got in about 15 minutes. Cooper moved its home game against Great Crossing to Oct. 2 after seeing the forecast.
St. Henry at Campbell made it for 23 minutes before lightning forced the postponement. Camels Head Coach Kyle Newman said the game will resume Aug. 23. The Camels led 1-0 on a goal from junior forward/midfielder Kaden Rose.
Beechwood 1, Scott 0
The Tigers knocked off the Eagles in the season opener for both teams in a game called off at halftime. Beechwood sophomore midfielder Reece Bell scored the game’s lone goal on a penalty kick.
“The defense looked very solid, especially for it being the first official game of the season,” said Zach Young, Beechwood Head Coach. “We rotated through a couple players just to solidify our back lineup. But every player that we put out looked phenomenal.”
Beechwood had four shots on goal to two for Scott. Eagles junior goalkeeper Aiden Taylor had three saves and Beechwood freshman goalkeeper Warner Platt made two.
Both teams play Thursday. Beechwood plays host to Boone County at 8 p.m. and Scott travels to Grant County for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Dixie Heights 3, Lexington Christian 0
The Colonels opened the season with a road win in a game that made it five minutes into the second half.
Freshman Trevor Bolte scored twice with senior Bennett Gerak scoring the other one for the Colonels. Senior Adam Kruetzkamp had an assist to Bolte.
Dixie Heights plays host to Scott on Friday. Game time is 7 p.m.
Boone County 3, Gallatin County 0
The Rebels opened with a home win against the Wildcats from the 8th Region in a game also called at halftime.
Junior forward Denis Rodriguez, sophomore midfielder Parker Byland and senior defender Isaac Quevedo had the goals for the Rebels. Sophomore midfielder Abdullahi Ali and sophomore forward Edwin Pajazetovic had assists.
Senior goalkeeper Alejandro Mendoza and sophomore goalkeeper David Courtney combined to record the shutout. Mendoza had three saves and Courtney Two.
Boone County travels to Beechwood on Thursday for an 8 p.m. game.
Walton-Verona 1, Henry County 1
Weather also forced this game to end at halftime. Junior Mason Morwessel scored the goal for the Bearcats in their season-opener.
The Bearcats took 10 shots to seven from the Wildcats. Junior goalkeeper Sam Kunkle had six saves for Walton-Verona.
The Bearcats play host to Newport Central Catholic on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
South Oldham 2, Covington Catholic 1
The host Colonels lost their season-opener in a game called with 28 minutes left.
CovCath trailed 1-0 at halftime then fell behind 2-0 in the second half. Senior Josh Strange scored off a cross from senior defender Ethan Roszkowski minutes later for the CovCath goal.
CovCath had four players battling for the goalkeeper spot. Sophomore Auggie Eilerman had eight saves and senior Oliver Schaefer had three.
CovCath travels to Madison Central on Saturday. Game time is 6 p.m.
Bourbon County 9, Calvary Christian 0
The Cougars opened with a road loss in 10th Region action. They play twice on Saturday at Lexington Christian in the United in Christ Showcase against Portland Christian at 10 a.m. and Louisville Highlands Latin at 4 p.m.