Teams entered the week-long Fayette County Spectacular hoping to play four games.
To do that, teams must win their two pool-play games and then win the semifinal games. The Campbell County Camels (4-0) won all four games to capture the crown finishing it with a 3-0 win over 10th Region rival George Rogers Clark (3-1) Saturday evening at Henry Clay.
“GRC has a good team. They play a 4-3-3 (defender-midfielder-forward formation) and they’re very quick up top,” said Dave Morris, Campbell County head coach. “They put a lot of pressure on us early in the game. But then as the game went on, we controlled it more and more.”
Senior goalkeeper Morgan Rawe only had to make three saves before freshman goalkeeper Morgan Roomes finished the game, making one save.
Senior forward Ruby Dunlevy scored two goals and had an assist. Sophomore forward Jozie Holmes had one goal and one assist for three points with senior midfielder Madison Gamble also recording an assist.
“As a team, we bond so well. I’ve grown up with these people since my freshman year,” Dunlevy said. “We had four or five freshmen that started my freshman year. We know each other so well. We always try to include underclassmen. That’s what makes a team. We’re nice to each other.”
Campbell County knocked off the Dixie Heights Colonels, 2-1 at Henry Clay that morning. That marked the first Camels win over Dixie Heights (2-1) since a 2-0 Sept. 28, 2016. The Colonels won the previous four meetings entering the game.
“It was a big win for us,” Morris said. “It doesn’t get any easier next week. To make a deep run in the postseason, you have to play well against good teams. They gained confidence they can play, compete, control the ball and they can finish. Our defense was tremendous the entire tournament. They kept stepping up at the right times. I think they learned they can play with anybody.”
Both teams had seven shots on frame. Holmes scored both Camel goals with Dunlevy and Gamble recording assists. Rawe had six saves.
Senior Abigail Kopp had the Dixie Heights goal with senior Ashtyn Ivey recording the assist. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Legg had four saves.
Campbell County travels to Simon Kenton (1-1-1) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Dixie Heights and Campbell County then play again Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Alexandria.
Girls Soccer
Simon Kenton 1, Bishop Brossart 1
The teams tied Saturday morning, each leaving with 1-1-1 records.
After an evenly-played first half, Simon Kenton controlled most of the second half recording 14 shots on frame to five for the Lady ‘Stangs. Senior goalkeeper Oliva York made three saves for Simon Kenton and senior goalkeeper Lauren Gooderson had 12 for Bishop Brossart.
“We didn’t do anything different formation-wise,” said Hillary Johnson, Simon Kenton head coach. “When we talked to them at halftime, we told them to focus on our combination plays and our possession. They did that.”
Simon Kenton scored the equalizing goal with 11:04 remaining in the game. Junior Cam Ruble took a pass in the middle and scored on a high and wide shot for her team-high third goal of the season.
“We’re looking to have more movement up top and make more dynamic runs,” said Sophie Decker, Simom Kenton senior defender/midfielder. “It’s a matter of looking up before you get the ball (in the attacking third), checking your shoulder, know where you can go before you get the ball so you can play fast then get out in space.”
Bishop Brossart took the lead with 21:19 left in the first half. Junior Emma Sandfoss took a pass in the middle, made a move and scored.
“We were just not at our best,” said Andy Smith, Bishop Brossart head coach. “Simon Kenton gave us a game. It was good competition. I feel like our middies had a hard time connecting. But we’ll figure it out.”
Gooderson and the defense gave the Lady ‘Stangs chances to win every game this week. They had defending state champion Notre Dame tied at halftime Wednesday.
“When I see my strikers working hard, that motivates me to work hard,” Gooderson said. “I think we have the potential for a really great season if it translates. Before the game, I tell myself I’m going to be the hardest-working person out there. If it’s a 50-50 ball, I’m going to get it. Mentally, that’s a big part of it.”
Simon Kenton plays host to Campbell County (4-0) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. Bishop Brossart travels to Woodford County (2-1) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Notre Dame 5, Cooper 0
The Pandas (2-0) led 1-0 at halftime and then scored four more goals in the second half to down the Lady Jaguars (1-1) at Buenger Sports Complex.
The Pandas have outscored their first two opponents, 7-0.
“Teams will sit back on us and at some point, you can not defend for 80 minutes,” said Suli Kayed, Notre Dame head coach. “We finally broke them down and started scoring those goals. We got a lot better than last week and that’s all that matters. Everything we wanted to work on this week, we executed (Saturday). We kept a clean sheet and different girls scored goals. That’s all you can ask for.”
The defending state champion Pandas extended their winning streak to 12 in a row and have gone 30-0-1 in their last 31 games. They have outscored opponents, 125-4 during that time.
Senior Ellie Greenwell scored twice in the second half. Senior Sunny Richesson found junior Hannah Knapke for the score to put Notre Dame up 3-0.
Knapke said the Pandas did not like how they played defensively in the scrimmage against South Oldham. Notre Dame lost the scrimmage 2-1 in the final seconds.
“We have improved so much already,” Knapke said. “We worked on dropping and knowing our roles on defense. We trust the whole coaching staff with everything. They know what’s best for us.”
After Greenwell’s second goal, Richesson put in a rebound with 10:35 left in the game to make the final score. Six different Pandas have scored this season.
“Our coaching staff is really good about having a plan going into the week,” Richesson said. “Every day, we know exactly what we need to do and we have intense practices. The games are almost a time to showcase how hard we’ve worked in practices.”
Cooper’s loss followed a big win earlier in the week, a 10-0 rout of (Frankfort) Western Hills). Seven different Lady Jaguars scored in that win.
“Our mental preparation coming in was good,” said Scott Hughes, Cooper head coach. “We had in a very specific type of formation that we thought would be effective. I thought that it was the first half. Their numbers, speed, talent, physicality is something that is difficult for us to match. So over time you see us wear down and that’s the kind of result you get.”
Notre Dame travels to Ryle (1-1) on Monday for an 8 p.m. game. Cooper travels to Anderson County the same day for a 7:30 p.m. start.
Conner 1, Frederick Douglass 0
The Lady Cougars (2-1) came away with another win in the Fayette County Spectacular over the Broncos (1-2) at Lafayette.
Conner outshot Frederick Douglass, 15-5. Sophomore goalkeeper Ally Welch made three saves.
“I think as I’m going through what the start is, if you come to Lexington to play, you’re faced with larger fields, a bit more physical play and more speed than some of the other times that you play,” said Mike Hughes, Conner Head Coach. “We’re right where we need to be. We’re just young. Our skill players are sophomore and below.”
Freshman forward Ariel Brogan scored the game’s only goal about seven or eight minutes into the game. The Lady Cougars have created chances all week including 18 shots and eight corner kicks in the 1-0 loss to Dunbar on Monday.
“I really think over the preseason, Coach Hughes has mentally prepared us to go further overall this season,” said Kaliegh Cranfield, Conner senior defender/midfielder. “I think the Dunbar game was a learning process because that was our first game of the season. We came out those next games and tried to fix those problems.”
Conner travels to Highlands (1-1) on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona 7, Anderson County 0
Walton-Verona (2-1) took the lead just 2:27 into the game and never looked back.
Walton-Verona played with 11 on the field to 10 for Anderson County (1-1) with 10:05 left in the first half when Anderson County drew a red card. Teams with the advantage tend to relax in those situations. But Walton-Verona used that to its advantage in many different ways.
“Whenever we get a lead, we don’t want to let our foot off the gas,” said Pat Luken, Walton-Verona Head Coach. “Obviously, you want to consistently score goals. But at that point, you’re more interested in working on the stuff that you do in practice. Whenever you get the opportunity to get your starters off the field and let your reserves play 15 to 20 minutes, all that does is give rest for your starters and get experience that will pay off as we get into the season.”
Walton-Verona outshot Anderson County, 12-2 on frame. Junior defender Kassy Evans and sophomore forward Cam Christy and junior defender Kassy Evans recorded hat tricks scoring four and three goals respectively.
“Once you get that first goal in, they just start coming,” Christy said. “The chemistry between all our midfielders and forwards was really good. We passed it and kept running plays afterwards.”
Luken credited Evans and junior defender Macy Sawyer for controlling things in the middle. Walton-Verona senior goalkeeper Payton Kenny had to make just two saves.
“It just takes a lot of communication,” said McKaila Hatton, Walton-Verona senior defender. “We just have to stay together. As long as everyone works hard and does her role, then we do a pretty good job. We do a good job subbing in and out.”
Walton-Verona plays host to Carroll County on Monday at 7:30 p.m. That’s the first game of the season for the Lady Panthers.
St. Henry 9, South Dearborn (Indiana) 0
The Crusaders (2-0) earned a convincing win across the Ohio River.
Seniors Cassidy Cline, Mandy Schlueter and sophomore midfielder Avery Pleiman scored two goals each for St. Henry. Senior Sydney Hennessy, junior Josie Knollman and sophomore Chloe Shea scored one each.
St. Henry plays Holy Cross (2-0) in the All “A” 9th Region semifinals on Monday. Game time is 5:45 p.m.
(Louisville) Assumption 3, Highlands 2
The Bluebirds (1-1) led 2-1 at halftime after junior forward Laney Smith scored her third and fourth goals of the season. Both goals were unassisted.
But the Rockets scored twice in the second half to pull off the win. One of their goals came on a penalty kick.
Both teams had 13 shots. Highlands freshman goalkeeper Natalie Hinegardner had 11 saves.
Highlands plays host to Conner (2-1) on Monday in Tower Park. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
(Louisville) Assumption 9, Newport Central Catholic 3
The Rockets (3-0) beat the Thoroughbreds (1-2) at Morscher Field. Senior forward Karly Enginger scored all three goals for NewCath including a penalty kick.
NewCath plays Ludlow (2-0) in the All “A” 9th Region semifinals at St. Henry on Monday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Other Aug. 13 NKY Girls Soccer Scores:
Villa Madonna 5, Grant County 2
Frankfort Christian 6, Holmes 0
Boys Soccer
Conner 2, Beechwood 0
The Cougars (1-1) ventured to Fort Mitchell to earn the 9th Region win over the Tigers (2-1). Senior midfielder Cooper Haaser and junior forward Mason Arevalo had the Cougar goals and senior forward Jacob Butcher had an assist. Conner sophomore goalkeeper Trey Wagner had six saves and junior goalkeeper Owen King had four.
Conner plays host to Covington Catholic on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m and Beechwood plays host to Villa Madonna (0-2) for an 8 p.m. game.
Holy Cross 2, Campbell County 1
The Indians (2-0) downed the host Camels (1-1) in a non-region battle in the morning.
Senior Evan McGlothin and sophomore William McElheney scored the Indians goals with sophomore goalkeeper Wyatt Driscoll recording eight saves. Junior forward/midfielder Broc Sorgenfrei scored the lone Campbell County goal.
Holy Cross travels to Boone County (2-1) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Camels travel to Walton-Verona (0-1-2) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Dixie Heights 3, Villa Madonna 0
The Colonels (3-0) took down the Vikings (0-2) for their second win in less than 24 hours in 34th District seed play.
Senior Bennett Gerak again led Dixie Heights with one goal and one assist for three points. Senior Reed Brixey and sophomore Aiden Sanders had one goal each with senior Noah Koenig tallying an assist. Senior goalkeeper Braden Blackburn once again did not have to make any saves.
Villa Madonna heads to Beechwood (2-1) on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. game. Dixie Heights plays host to Holy Cross (2-0) on Thursday at 8 p.m.
Ryle 3, (Lexington) Bryan Station 1
The Raiders (1-1) earned the win on the second day of the Fayette County Public Schools Soccer Showcase taking down the host Defenders (1-1-1).
Ryle outshot Bryan Station, 11-7 with junior goalkeeper Landon Barth recording four saves. Junior Diego Honderkamp scored twice and senior midfielder Lucas Munich scored the other Raider goal.
Ryle travels to Bishop Brossart on Tuesday for a 7:30 p.m. game.
Newport Central Catholic 2, George Rogers Clark 0
The Thoroughbreds (3-0) ventured to Winchester and took down the Cardinals (1-1). Senior midfielder George Simons and junior midfielder Mason McCloskey had the NewCath goals with senior goalkeeper Ryan Mullen recording his second shutout of the season.
NewCath travels to Cooper on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. game.
Boone County 8, Pendleton County 0
The Rebels (2-1) recorded their largest win of the season against the visiting Wildcats (0-2).
Sophomore midfielder Parker Byland led the way scoring one goal and adding three assists for five points for Boone County. Junior forward Denis Rodriguez and sophomore defender Logan Trout had one goal and one assist each.
Junior forward Kalidou Diaw, sophomore forward Edwin Pajazetovic, senior Alejandro Mendoza, senior Bencao Antonio and junior midfielder Frankie Aguilar had one goal each for the Rebels. Freshman midfielder Adan Moalin added an assist. Mendoza and sophomore goalkeeper David Courtney had one save each.
Boone County played host to Holy Cross (2-0) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Simon Kenton 3, Oldham County 0
The Pioneers (1-2) earned the 8th Region win over the Colonels (0-2-1) behind freshman goalkeeper Miles Mullen’s first career shutout. He had seven saves.
Simon Kenton outshot Oldham County, 12-11. Senior forward CJ Neidenbach had two goals and junior forward Dominick Dornbusch scored the other Pioneer goal. Senior midfielder Ayden Theobald and sophomore defender Cole Garnett had assists.
Simon Kenton travels to South Oldham (2-0) on Tuesday. Game time is 8 p.m.
Covington Catholic 5, Madison Central 4:
The Colonels (1-1) ventured to Richmond and picked up the road non-region win.
Senior Joey Planicka scored two goals to lead the Colonels. Junior Aiden Leach and sophomore Andrew Roland scored one goal each and the Indians had an own goal. Roland had two assists and senior Josh Strange had one.
CovCath travels to Conner (1-1) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona 3, Sayre 3
The host Bearcats (0-1-2) tied the visiting Spartans (0-1-2) in non-region action.
Senior Arif Ceylan scored two goals to lead the Bearcats. Junior Logan Pronk had the other goal with senior Mateo Mains, juniors Tyler Wolfe and Drew Howe recording assists. Junior goalkeeper Sam Kunkle had 10 saves.
Walton-Verona plays host to Gallatin County (0-1) on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Brossart 2, Cooper 2
The Mustangs (0-1-1) and Jaguars (1-0-1) tied in the non-region battle at the Mustang Athletic Complex.
Senior forward Adam Morris had a goal and assist for Cooper. Freshman forward Maddox Pemberton scored the other goal and senior forward Alex Morris added an assist.
Both teams play again Tuesday. Cooper plays host to Newport Central Catholic (3-0) at 8 p.m. Bishop Brossart plays host to Ryle (1-1) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
(Louisville) Ballard 5, Highlands 1
The Bluebirds (1-1) could not earn the road win against the Bruins (1-0) from the 7th Region. Senior Casey Stiles found senior Peyton Helminiak for the lone Highlands goal.
Highlands plays host to St. Henry (1-0) on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Aug. 13 NKY Boys Soccer Scores:
Danville 8, Calvary Christian 1
Highlands Latin 10, Calvary Christian 0
Lexington Christian 6, Covington Latin 0