With four 9th Region girls soccer teams moving to play another day, the other four going home for good, it made for a manic Monday.
The thriller came from Edgewood, Dixie Heights taking down Holy Cross 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout after a 1-1 tie wasn’t decided after regulation or extra time. Down to the final shot, Dixie Heights survived their quarterfinal matchup with the Indians.
“Survive and advance,” Dixie head coach Alex Dean said.
Dixie’s Abby Parsons and Holy Cross’ Jordyn Reisleman gave both teams their best chances on goal in a match that was just as tightly contested as their previous 1-1 draw during the regular season three weeks ago.
“Playing them (Dixie) just three weeks ago, we came in ready for any different looks they might throw at us,” Holy Cross head coach Brittany Black said. “We knew coming in that this was our first time making the regional tournament in four years. It was a goal for us this season and regardless we’re really proud.”
With no goals to show through the first half, it took the Colonels just five minutes in the second half to deliver.
A perfectly placed ball by junior midfielder Hailey Hall landed at the feet of Parsons, who made no mistake of placing the ball past Holy Cross keeper Suzette Klaiss. Showing up on the stat sheet in more ways than one, Parsons’ goal made 18 on the year to go along with 16 assists.
Slideshow below, provided by Charles Bolton:
The equalizer came in the 67th minute when a 40-yard freekick by Holy Cross senior Ella Lehmkuhl took an awkward bounce and landed in the back of the net to keep the Indians’ season alive for the time being.
“Obviously, we didn’t finish regulation the way we wanted,” Dean said. “But shout out to Holy Cross’ program, they tested our limits and made us grind it out till the end.”
After two five-minute overtime periods, the game would be decided by kicks from the mark. While Klaiss remained in goal for the Indians, Dean selected sophomore goalie Reese Ragan to come off the bench for the Colonels.
Through three shots, Dixie remained perfect. Ragan managed to stop not one but two shots however, they were called back as the ref determined she had incorrectly moved off her line.
Down to the final shot, Ragan cleanly saved Indians’ Alyssa Arlinghaus’ attempt as the Colonels survived the first round.
“It was gutsy,” Dean said. “Of course rising to the challenge and converting the penalties was huge, but Reece (Ragan) was the hero of the game. We kind of threw her in there at the end, but we had all the confidence in the world in her ability.”
As the Colonels celebrate their hard-earned result, the Indians season comes to an end. Holy Cross finished the year 10-10-2 as Black led the Indians to her fourth regional appearance in nine seasons.
“We’re losing a big presence with our nine seniors but I think we’re just proud of where we’re at and where we’re going.”
Dixie will face Highlands Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. The continuation of the 9th Region tournament will take place at Conner with the semis on Wednesday and championship on Saturday.
Highlands 1, Cooper 0
Kendall Graves’ goal off a free kick late in the first half was the only dent on the scoreboard in this 8th Region quarterfinal matchup at NKU.
The Bluebirds defense did the rest as Bailee Class needed just two saves for the clean sheet.
Cooper’s Amanda Collins had 12 saves to keep the Jags in striking distance throughout. The Jaguars season ends at 13-6-5.
Conner 7, Newport Central Catholic 0
Ella Folke and Milana Arevalo scored two goals each as Conner shut out its 19th opponent in 24 matches this season.
Ally Welch and Cara Fay combined for the clean sheet with one save apiece.
Ashley Sweetay and Ashtyn Cobble also scored goals while Michaela Potter, Maya Owen, Leah Hahnel, Sophia Maki and Dana Riesenberg recorded assists.
Conner (21-2-1) faces Notre Dame in the 9th Region semifinals on Wednesday at home at 5:30 p.m. In Wednesday’s matchup, the Pandas are ranked No. 3 in the final regular season coaches poll, the Cougars are ranked No. 5.
Notre Dame 6, St. Henry 0
Julia Stegman and Maya Tully netted two goals apiece, Chloe Fullenkamp and Scarlet Cogswell with one each as the Pandas are on to Wednesday’s 9th Region semifinals.
Tully also provided two assists, Megan McGraw and Sadie Yapp with one each, Joelle Hentz and Adilynn Melton combining for the clean sheet and needing just one save to do so.
Notre Dame improves to 14-3-4, St. Henry’s season coming to a close at 6-10-3.
Girls 8th Region Quarterfinals
Simon Kenton 7, Collins 1
Niya Johnson scored four minutes into the game and Simon Kenton never looked back as they advance to the 8th Region semifinals.
Alexis Howard, Meg Gadzala and Reese Johnson scored goals in the first half to make it 4-0 at the break. Ella Smith, Macie Bach and Howard finished off the scoring for the Pioneers (14-4-4) in the second half.
Simon Kenton will face Oldham County in Thursday’s semi at Carroll County at 6 p.m. Simon Kenton won the regular season meeting between the two, 4-2 back on Aug. 21.
Walton-Verona 2, Spencer County 1
Not only was Campbell Christy’s game-winning goal with five minutes left enough to get the Bearcats into the region semifinals, but it was career goal No. 119 for Christy, setting the program record.
Kaitlyn Lemming’s goal gave Walton-Verona an early 1-0 lead before Spencer County tied it up in the second half.
Ava Fuller and Braylin Terrell were credited with assists, Brynn Willis with 14 saves in goal for the win.
Walton-Verona (16-5-3) will face South Oldham in Thursday’s semifinals at Carroll County at 8 p.m.
Girls 10th Region Quarterfinals
Campbell County 4, Montgomery County 0
Jozie Holmes posted two goals, Kennedy Crowley and Ryan Weghorn with one apiece as the Camels advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals to face Harrison County.
Meryem Gonulates recorded two assists while Abi Medaugh, Morgan Roomes and Abigail Maszor combined for the shutout in goal.
The Campbell County-Harrison County matchup is Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Bishop Brossart 9, Pendleton County 0
The Lady ‘Stangs (16-4-4) advanced to Wednesday’s semifinals with a mercy rule victory before halftime hit.
They’ll face George Rogers Clark in the semifinal matchup Alexandria at 5:30 p.m. It’s a rematch of last year’s region championship in which the Cardinals denied Brossart a second conseuctive championship.
BOYS
8th Region Quarterfinals
Collins 1, Simon Kenton 1 (Collins won 4-3 in penalty kicks)
It took kicks from the mark to decide this 8th Region quarterfinal played in Independence.
Knotted at 1-1 after regulation and extra time, the Titans (15-5-1) prevailed 4-3 in penalty kicks.
Chris Price scored the lone goal for Simon Kenton, Ian Lawrence credited with the assist. Miles Mullen had five saves in goal.
Simon Kenton’s season comes to a close at 12-9-3. After a 2-5-1 start, they went 10-4-2 over their last 16 games.