The anticipated rematch of last year’s girls soccer state tournament title game at the Buenger Sports Complex featured two teams that allowed a combined one goal in nine games.
Notre Dame beat South Oldham Dragons, 1-0, in Lexington last year to claim the state crown.
On Monday, however, South Oldham (6-0) picked up the win after scoring on a corner kick in the game’s first fifteen minutes, and then adding another two for a 3-0 victory. The Pandas fall to 4-1 on the season.
“We tried something different multiple times throughout the game and we always have a clear plan coming into the game,” said Suli Kayed, Notre Dame head coach. “I felt like we didn’t (Monday). I told them I scratched my head 50,000 times out there. I’m not taking any credit. We’ve gone through some injuries and we tried to twist around our plan. We have to stick to what we’re good at. We talked about identity. I told them I take full blame for that.”
Kayed confirmed that seniors Abby Unkraut and Sunny Richesson are not able to play the rest of the season due to injuries. Unkraut, a University of Georgia commit, burned three players for a spectacular goal in the season-opening win at Bishop Brossart. Richesson had one goal and one assist on the year.
South Oldham has outscored opponents 31-0 this year. That includes shutout wins over Highlands, Dixie Heights and Simon Kenton.
“They’re showing a lot of true grit back there as far as the shutouts, competition that we’ve had,” said Kenneth Burke, South Oldham head coach. “It’s been tough to keep people (from scoring). I’m very proud of their efforts. It’s going to be a battle every time. We know we’re going to get an extraordinary game against these teams because they’re so well-coached and they’re such a talented group from top to bottom. If you make a mistake against these teams, they’ll make you pay. We didn’t give up many unforced errors in crucial spots.”
The Pandas had won 14 in a row entering the game, dating back to last season, and held a 32-0-1 mark over the previous 33 games. The last Notre Dame loss came in the 9th Region semifinals on Oct. 19, 2020 by a 2-1 score against Dixie Heights.
South Oldham possessed the ball better than Notre Dame putting up 12 shots to seven. Both teams had five shots on goal. South Oldham goalkeeper Katelyn Feeney made five saves to two for Notre Dame junior goalkeeper Hannah Renaker.
The big difference came on corner kicks. South Oldham had six and Notre Dame had one.
“In a game like this with two top-level teams, you’re not going to get many chances to run a set play,” Burke said. “It has to be on set pieces. Notre Dame won on a set play against us in the state championship last year. It was a corner kick that got deflected in. Those margins of error sometimes separate you in the postseason so I’m glad that we came out on the winning end of that.”
Junior defender/midfielder Breanna Dardano took a corner kick and found junior midfielder Kate Hallin for the score. That is Hallin’s second goal of the season.
Notre Dame tried like crazy to tie the game. Senior Ellie Greenwell took a corner kick with 18:15 left in the game and sophomore Kate Lenihan got a shot off, but Feeney stopped it.
South Oldham nearly scored twice with 14:30 left in the game when Renaker stopped a South Oldham free kick to the right of the attack box. The Lady Dragons missed a wide-open cross to the left of the goal less than a minute later.
But the Lady Dragons scored off a free kick following a Notre Dame yellow card with 12:54 left in the game. Senior forward Ava Roberson put it in then added a rebound for her fourth and fifth goals of the season to make the final score.
“I thought South Oldham looked like old Notre Dame,” Kayed said. “They were braver up top. They caused us issues and it should be the other way around. It comes down to the way you set your girls up. You have to give them credit. They’re battling for 80 minutes. They’re physically and emotionally invested in the game. It’s about figuring out the things that gave up goals on set pieces.”
The Pandas play host to West Jessamine (1-4) on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Girls soccer
Conner 1, Campbell County 0
The Lady Cougars downed the Camels making a first-half goal stand in Alexandria. Both teams are 4-2-1 on the season.
Conner junior forward Ella Mann scored her second goal of the season in the first half. The Lady Cougars held on for their third shutout of the season.
Conner outshot Campbell County, 18-8. Conner sophomore goalkeeper Ally Welch had five saves and Camel senior goalkeeper Morgan Rawe had 12.
“I think this was a big win for us,” said Hailey Oliver, Conner senior midfielder. “Only losing 1-0 to Notre Dame (on Wednesday) was a good accomplishment. But this win gets our name out there. I think we had some unlucky shots. But I think that overall, we connected well on offense and got the ball (in the attacking third) well.”
Conner knew about the challenges of facing the Campbell County forward tandem of senior Ruby Dunlevy and sophomore Jozie Holmes. Holmes has six goals and three assists with Dunlevy putting up five goals and three assists on the season.
“I thought we played as well as what we have been playing,” said Mike Hughes, Conner head coach. “The competition we have been playing have prepared us for this moment. We’ve played (Highlands junior forward) Laney (Smith) and (Notre Dame senior Ellie) Greenwell. Those are just two quality players. I think Dunlevy is as good a player as we’ve played against. You have to focus on her because she at any given point can change (the game) in a heartbeat.”
Conner travels to Boone County (3-2-1) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Campbell County travels to Ryle (1-3) on Saturday for a 7:30 p.m. battle.
Cooper 3, Dixie Heights 1
The Lady Jaguars (3-1) downed the Colonels (3-3) in a 9th Region battle in Union outshooting Dixie Heights, 11-7.
This marked the first time in school history that Cooper beat Dixie Heights. The Colonels won 12 of the first 13 meetings between the two teams since Cooper opened in 2008. The teams tied 2-2 on Sept. 26, 2020.
“It’s a substantial victory for us,” said Scott Hughes, Cooper head coach. “That’s a testament to how our girls have come together, how they’re playing hard. At this point, we’re still trying to put different components in our defense and offense, figuring out our transition within the midfield and we’re taking it bit by bit. We judge ourselves based on three points of emphasis and we were able to hit all three of them pretty well so I was very, very proud of them, especially on the defensive end because Dixie is unbelievable fast and well-coached. We had to play very solid defense more than we’ve had to in the past.”
Senior defenders Shelby Snyder and Ava Priar among others led the defensive effort for Cooper. Cooper has held opponents to one goal in its three wins.
“We played really well. It’s really helpful when we’re on the opposite side of the field from (Coach Hughes) when the team needs to hear that message that he’s trying to get across,” Snyder said. “Most of the time I’m thinking what (Coach Hughes) is thinking and I get that message across pretty quickly. It helps us stay on the goals that we have and perform the way that he wants us to.”
Junior midfielder/striker Maleah Alexander recorded one goal and one assist. The assist is her 25th of the season moving her to sole possession for the most career assists in team history. She leads Cooper with six goals and four assists on the season.
Freshman midfielder Gracie Iles added one goal and one assist with senior Cadence Flamm scoring the other Cooper goal. Senior goalkeeper Leah Watkins played the full game making five saves.
Junior Karolyn Lighthall scored the Dixie Heights goal and senior Mariah Wolff had the assist. Senior goalkeeper Sarah Legg had one save.
Cooper travels to Newport Central Catholic (3-4) on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. game. Dixie Heights travels to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the Smoky Mountain Cup taking on two Tennessee teams: Station Camp (2-1) on Saturday at 9 a.m., and then Father Ryan (0-1-2) on Sunday at 9 a.m.
St. Henry 2, Ryle 1
The Crusaders (5-0) knocked off the Raiders (1-3) on the road in 9th Region action.
Senior forward Mandy Schlueter scored both goals for the Crusaders. The Ohio State commit has 14 goals and four assists on the season for 32 points.
Senior midfielder Lani Keipert and junior defender Alexa Riegler had the assists. Keipert leads St. Henry with five assists on the season.
St. Henry plays host to Highlands (1-3-1) on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Ryle plays host to Campbell County (4-2-1) on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Walton-Verona 7, Gallatin County 0
The Bearcats (5-1) clinched the North Central Kentucky Conference crown with the convincing win over the Lady Wildcats (1-4-1).
Junior forward Emma Landrum had four goals and one assist with sophomore forward Cam Christy recording two goals and two assists. Junior midfielder Trinity Bauwens had one goal and one assist. Freshman Claire Sams had one assist and senior goalkeeper Payton Kenny had one save.
Walton-Verona takes on Owen County (0-2) in the All “A” 8th Region Tournament on Wednesday at 8 p.m.
More Girls Soccer Scores
George Rogers Clark 1, Bishop Brossart 0
Holy Cross 2, Scott 1
Newport Central Catholic 6, Boone County 0
Mason County 6, Dayton 1
Beechwood 8, Ludlow 0
Paris 4, Holmes 2
Sacred Heart 5, Highlands 0
Volleyball Scores
Scott 3 (25-12, 25-12, 25-4), Newport 0
Newport Central Catholic 3 (25-4, 25-18, 25-4), Bellevue 0
Pendleton County 3 (25-17, 25-13, 17-25, 25-14), Walton-Verona 1