A pair of first-year coaches with their respective teams opened the season against one another as Kyle Kosco’s Ryle squad ventured to Taylor Mill to take on Allie Ast’s Scott squad.
Ryle topped the host Eagles, 2-0. Ryle dominated possession, putting 16 shots on goal to seven for Scott. Sophomore goalkeeper Maleah Lehmkuhl stopped all seven Eagles shots to record the shutout.
Senior forward Gracie Carrigan scored the first Ryle goal in the first half on an assist from junior midfielder Emma Price. Carrigan led the Raiders with nine goals last season.
“(The offseason work) paid off really well,” Carrigan said. “Obviously, you can tell on the score line. We gave them a shutout, which is something that we always want to come out here and do. Our back line did a great job. Our goalkeeper did an amazing job, and we were able to put away a couple opportunities, which is always nice.”
Ryle head coach Kyle Kosco complimented the Raiders for responding to his challenge to pick things up in the second half. The other Ryle goal came with 30:40 left in the game when junior Saylor Fong hit a free kick just outside the top of the attacking box.
“I think the ability to settle in the second half and really start to show what we’re capable of and to be able to play all 21 players on the first night only having six training sessions together at this point under a new coaching staff is a lot to throw at the girls,” Kosco said. “I’m really happy with how the preseason has gone and Bluegrass. I’ll definitely take (the result) for the first one of the season.”
Ryle plays host to Beechwood on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. Scott plays host to Walton-Verona on Saturday at 9 a.m.
Notre Dame 2, Cooper 1
The Pandas earned a road 9th Region win to open the season, outshooting the Jaguars, 6-3. Senior Hannah Renaker and sophomore Joelle Hentz had one save each for the Pandas.
Junior Ella Long and sophomore Sadie Yapp scored the Pandas goals and sophomore Jane Schuh had the assist. Senior Maleah Alexander scored the Cooper goal.
Notre Dame plays host to Bishop Brossart on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Cooper plays host to Simon Kenton at the same time.
Conner 10, Bryan Station 0
Conner coach Mike Hughes got his 200th career win in the 10-0 victory over Bryan Station in the Fayette County Spectacular.
Caylee Eilers had four goals, Ella Mann with two while Izelee Kerns, Reagan Buchert, Milana Areval and Ariel Brogan had a goal each.
Mann, Laurel Frazier, Ellis Kerns, Avery Mullins and Ava Schier had an assist each.
Conner returns to action on Wednesday when they take on Paul Laurence Dunbar in the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular.
Bishop Brossart 2, Newport Central Catholic 0
The Mustangs opened the season with a rivalry win at the Mustang Athletic Complex.
Senior Avery Schaefer and sophomore Rachel Shewmaker had the Brossart goals and sophomore goalkeeper Maddie Broering had three saves. The Mustangs avenged a 2-1 loss at NewCath last year with the win.
Brossart plays at Notre Dame on Wednesday at 8 p.m., and NewCath plays host to St. Henry at 7:30 p.m.
Highlands 2, Holy Cross 0
The host Bluebirds shut out the Indians in 9th Region play to open the season.
Highlands outshot Holy Cross, 13-1 on goal.
Senior forwards Kate Jamie and Laney Smith scored the goals. Smith has 73 career goals, needing two more to tie 2019 graduate Lindsey Meyer’s school record of 75.
Holy Cross plays host to Holmes on Wednesday at 5 p.m. Highlands plays host to Bellevue on Monday at 7 p.m.
Dixie Heights 6, George Rogers Clark 3
The Colonels doubled up the Cardinals to open up the Fayette County Soccer Spectacular. Senior Karolyn Lighthall had a hat trick. Junior Makenna Long had two and junior Abby Parsons scored the other one.
Dixie Heights played three goalkeepers in the win. Junior Emery Rowland played the first half keeping the Cardinals off the scoreboard. Senior Ashleigh Schlitt and sophomore Jordan Fields played in the second half.
Dixie Heights takes on Henry Clay on Wednesday at 6:15 p.m., back in Lexington.
Simon Kenton 4, St. Henry 1
The Pioneers recorded a convincing road win to open the season.
Sophomore Reese Johnson scored one goal and had two assists and sophomore midfielder Ella Smith scored twice to lead the Pioneers. Sophomore Alexis Howard added one goal and one assist and junior goalkeeper Fayth Tomlin had seven saves.
Senior midfielder Annalee Ernst scored St. Henry’s lone goal.
Simon Kenton plays at Cooper on Wednesday at 8 p.m. St. Henry plays at NewCath at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Other Scores
Campbell County 0, Henry Clay 0
Grant County 1, Villa Madonna 1
Walton-Verona 10, Carroll County 0