The last time Conner and Cooper faced off in a girls soccer matchup, the Jaguars walked away with a win and a 33rd District title.
On Wednesday night, the Cougars came out on top with a 2-1 victory in front of their home crowd to remain unbeaten (12-0-1).
Up until Wednesday’s district showdown, the Cougars elapsed just under 1,000 regular season minutes without conceding a goal through 12 games.
“We pride ourselves defensively to fight for the ball as a unit,” Conner coach Mike Hughes said. “It’s probably something I appreciate most about our team.”
A fact both Hughes and his team were fully aware of.
“It’s something we don’t necessarily talk about, but it needed to happen. It’s better to give up that goal at this part of the season instead of allowing it to linger into districts and not being able to regroup,” Hughes said.
Cooper found their answer just three minutes in as a curling cross from junior Gracie Iles escaped through two Conner defenders before landing into the feet of senior forward Kamdyn Hamilton.
With 11 goals through 14 games, Hamilton’s emerged as one of the top scorers in Northern Kentucky trailing behind Beechwood’s Macy Yelton (12), and Walton Verona’s Campbell Christy (27).
“She (Hamilton) really just works her tail off up there,” Cooper head coach Scott Hughes said. “She’s relentless in terms of working side to side which makes it easier for her teammates to use her as a target.”
While conceding goals isn’t a familial occurrence for the Cougars this season, the team showed no signs of easing up or breaking down. After 20 minutes of play, Conner was able to connect with sophomore striker Maya Owen through the middle for a team leading fifth goal on the season as her conversion drew the game back to even.
All tied up, Conner looked to work the ball through the middle as their offensive attack often stemmed from the team’s defensive half while Cooper’s attack relied heavily on outside wingers looking to connect with forwards on the run. Unable to convert, both teams were deadlocked at the half.
“There’s something to be proud of tonight in the way we were able to fight for 80 minutes,” Scott Hughes said.
After a recent three-game trip in Tennessee, Cooper was missing consistent action from six different players who carried over lingering injuries.
Cooper showed no signs of giving in as they found what they thought was a second goal for Hamilton, who broke free just minutes into the second half before it was ultimately deemed offsides. A call that may not be soon forgotten as Conner’s Ashley Sweetay connected off a low cross from defender Ariel Brogan to break the 1-1 tie with 30 minutes to play.
The Jaguars threw everything they had left at the Cougars’ defensive front. Led by junior center back and Western Michigan commit Izelee Kerns, Conner showed once again why they’re defense is a force to be reckoned with.
“You’ve got to hand it to Conner, they’re a great team,” Scott Hughes said. “Always well coached by Mike (Hughes) and if you make a couple mistakes here and there, they’re going to capitalize. I will say getting that first goal on them is a nice thing to carry over for us .”
With postseason action right around the corner, there’s a solid chance the two teams could face off in a repeat of last year’s district final unless Ryle or Boone County have any say in the matter.
For now, Cooper remains solid despite the loss as they stand at 8-3-3 on the season with just seven games left. On the road again, the Jaguars will face Villa Madonna Monday as they’ll look to regroup and heal from prior injuries.
For the home side, Conner’s schedule won’t get any easier. The Cougars will face Dixie Heights away on Monday, a team they managed to escape with a 2-1 victory last year.
“One thing we try to consistently mention is that if we feel we’re playing the way we want to, we can play anybody, anywhere, anytime,” Mike Hughes said. “These girls work extremely hard to buy in no matter the amount of minutes they play. Whether they play 80 minutes or stand along the sideline and cheer, it all matters.”
More photos from Wednesday night’s contest, taken by Charles Bolton:
