Bishop Brossart claimed the 37th District boys soccer crown for the third straight year.
After being tied 1-1 for most of the game, the Mustangs (12-5-2 overall) and Campbell County Camels (9-9-2) scored a combined three goals in the game’s final 15 minutes.
But with a minute and a half left in regulation, the ball found itself at the feet of Bishop Brossart junior Tyler Smith. He put it in the back of the net to lift the Mustangs to a 3-2 victory on the field at tournament host Scott High School in Taylor Mill.
“It’s about playing our game and imposing our will instead of letting the other team impose theirs,” said Ron Dunlevy, Bishop Brossart head coach. “I told them to forget everything they knew about Campbell County from the regular season. I knew it was going to be a different game and it was. I’m still kind of just coming down from it honestly.”
The Mustangs have won 15 straight regular season and tournament games against district opponents.
Smith had a hand in all three goals for the Mustangs scoring twice and assisting the other one. Smith has 16 goals and 13 assists on the season.
“I made a diagonal run in the box. The ball bounced a couple feet in front of me,” Smith said. “I brought it off my chest then the keeper started to come at me. I composed myself and passed the ball into the far corner. That prep touch off my chest helped me stay calm because once I got it off my chest, it bounced down to my foot and I was able to easily pass it.”
Campbell County tried to clear the ball before Smith’s game-winner but the Mustangs kept the ball in the attacking zone. Sophomore Alex Runge made the pass into the middle to Smith shortly after a member of the Campbell County coaching staff told the team to mark Smith.
“I took a touch on my left foot and I just had concentration to pass it right with my left foot into the box to Smith making that run,” Runge said. “You have to stay focused and keep going.”
Junior goalkeeper Brycen Faulkner made five saves for the Camels and senior goalkeeper Logan Rauen made two for the Mustangs.
Bishop Brossart scored the only goal of the first half with 10:40 to go. Smith found sophomore Luke Alwell for the goal, his fourth of the year.
The Camels tied the game twice in the second half seeking their first district tournament crown since 2018. Leading scorer, junior Noah Rittinger took the ball up the middle and scored just two minutes, 30 seconds into the second half for his 17th goal this year to tie the game at 1-1.
“These boys believe and I think that was evident (Wednesday) compared to how we played Brossart during the regular season (a 3-0 Mustang win on Sept. 15 at Brossart),” said Kyle Newman, Campbell County head coach. “That belief is still there. The boys are going to see who we draw and give our best right next week. They have heavy legs. Monday (a 2-1 district semifinal win over Scott) was no easy task. We’re going to rest and recover.”
With 14:01 left in the game, Runge found Smith for the score to give the Mustangs a brief 2-1 lead. Campbell County tied the game with 12:13 remaining when junior defender/midfielder James Besecker scored on a rebound on an assist from junior forward Tate Glass.
Bishop Brossart started the season 1-3-2 but have rolled off 11 wins in their last 13 games.
“I just love my team and we all work well together when we get in a groove,” said Landon Guidugli, Bishop Brossart junior. “When we score a goal, it brings up the energy.”
Smith earned tournament most valuable player honors with Alwell, Runge and freshman Sam Chirumbolo joining. Rittinger, juniors Broc Sorgenfrei and Kaden Rose from Campbell County also made the all-tournament team.
The drawing for the 10th Region Tournament takes place Saturday. It will be at either 39th District champion George Rogers Clark or Montgomery County next week. The two play for the 39th crown on Thursday at GRC. The 38th District title game between Mason County and Harrison County also takes place Thursday at Pendleton County.
Boys Soccer
36th District Championship at Highlands
Highlands 3, Newport Central Catholic 1
The Bluebirds (13-4-3) continued their solid play at 9-0-1 in the last 10 games on their way to a seventh straight 36th District championship and 14th straight win over the Thoroughbreds (14-5-2) at Tower Park.
Senior goalkeeper Ryan Mullen made 13 saves for the Thoroughbreds with junior Jack Wilson only needing to make one for the Bluebirds.
The tournament’s most valuable player, junior midfielder Chad Gesenhues had a goal and two assists to lead the way. Senior forward Jack Lavin and junior midfielder Adarsh Khullar scored the other two Highlands goals to make it to the all-tournament team. Senior forward Casey Stiles added an assist.
“The guys are really working well together,” said Brandon Ponchak, Highlands head coach. “The energy they brought was great to see. Being able to put some away and relax was nice. We knew we could keep everyone healthy and keep the cards to a minimum so we could head into region with the momentum continuing for us. We set out to do some things and we’re still working in that direction to make 16 seniors end their season with a positive note.”
Junior midfielder Brady Diedenhofer scored the goal for the Thoroughbreds. Senior midfielder Ryan Barth joined him on the all-tournament team.
Highlands will play host to either Conner, St. Henry or the loser of Thursday’s 35th District championship game between Covington Catholic and Beechwood on Tuesday. NewCath travels to Ryle, Dixie Heights, or the winner of the Covington Catholic-Beechwood game.
32nd District Championship at Simon Kenton
Simon Kenton 3, Grant County 2
The Pioneers (9-8-4) built a 3-0 lead on the visiting Braves (11-6-1) and held on for their second straight district championship. Junior forward Dominick Dornbusch led Simon Kenton with two goals.
34th District Championship at Dixie Heights
Dixie Heights 4, St. Henry 1
The Colonels (15-2-3) won their fifth straight district championship taking down the visiting Crusaders (7-10).
Girls Soccer
33rd District Championship at Boone County
Ryle 1, Conner 0
The surprise team of the post-season in the 9th Region in the Raiders (6-11-2) claimed their first district tournament championship since 2018, winning on kicks from the mark, 4-3, after playing Conner (13-8-2) to a scoreless regulation and two five-minute overtime frames.
“We stuck to a similar game plan we had against Cooper (on Monday),” said Brian Runyon, Ryle head coach. “We haven’t been much of a team that’s been able to build from the back and connect a lot of passes to the front. One of the things we wanted to do coming into both games was clear the lines and allow our front group to put a lot of pressure on their backs.”
Runyon credited Ryle freshman goalkeeper and the tournament’s most valuable player, Maleah Lehmkuhl for making two big saves including the fourth and fifth Conner kicks from the mark. Ryle missed its second one in the best-of-five battle.
Runyon said Ryle junior Gracie Carrigan had another nice game. She had two assists in the 3-2 win over Cooper on Monday in the district semifinals.
“I feel like it was a bit of a struggle for us early on just because we were a relatively new team coming together compared to last year,” Carrigan said. “I feel like we’ve come together nicely and we’re just peaking at the right moment. We’re making good decisions on the field.”
Ryle will play host to a 9th Region Quarterfinal game Monday against NewCath, St. Henry or Beechwood. Conner travels to Highlands, Dixie heights or Notre Dame.
35th District Championship at St. Henry
Dixie Heights 5, St. Henry 1
The Colonels (11-7-3) have won five in a row, and now a third straight district championship, taking down the Crusaders (12-5-2). Dixie has been finishing shots lately outscoring those five opponents, 24-3.
“We are peaking at the right moment,” said Chris Sturm, Dixie Heights head coach. “The shots are going in. But more importantly, everyone is contributing and that’s been something we’ve been trying to work on with everyone being a part of the defense and the offensive transition. That showed with the convincing win.”
Senior Reese Smith started the scoring for the Colonels.
“It felt amazing to get that first goal,” Smith said. “I didn’t think and just shot it.”
32nd District Championship at Simon Kenton
Simon Kenton 7, Walton-Verona 0
The Pioneers (12-4-4) left no doubt in the dominant win over the Bearcats (15-5-1). Freshman Alexis Howard and junior Cam Ruble led the Pioneers with two goals each. Senior Sophie Decker added a goal for Simon Kenton.
35th District Championship at Beechwood
Notre Dame 4, Beechwood 0
The defending state champion Pandas (15-3-2) shut out the Tigers (10-6-3) for another district crown.
36th District Championship at Highlands
Highlands 10, Newport Central Catholic 0
The Bluebirds (12-6-3) pulled off the goal-ruling over the Thoroughbreds (7-11-1) for their seventh straight district championship. They’ve also won 14 in a row over NewCath.
Juniors Kate Jamie and Claire Cavacini led Highlands with hat tricks of three goals. Jamie had two assists. Junior forward Laney Smith, who recently committed to the University of Cincinnati, had two goals and two assists.
Boys Golf
State Tournament Concludes
The Highlands Bluebirds finished ninth at the state tournament at the Bowling Green Country Club shooting 685. Madison Central shot an even 600 over the two days to win it.
Senior Joel Craft shot a two-day total of 157 to lead the Bluebirds tying for 42nd overall. He has played in five straight state tournaments.
Newport Central Catholic junior Caleb Eaglin shot the highest of any individual qualifiers from Boone, Kenton and Campbell Counties tying for 33rd overall shooting 155. Ryle’s Tanner Lorms shot 156 to tie for 36th overall.
Volleyball Scores
Highlands 3 (25-23, 25-15, 25-21), Campbell County 0
Bishop Brossart 3 (25-13, 25-18, 25-22), Newport Central Catholic 0
Holy Cross 3 (25-12, 25-13, 25-18), Boone County 0
Newport 3 (25-18, 17-25, 25-10, 25-22), Bellevue 1
Ludlow 2 (25-9, 25-23), St. Patrick 0
