Talk about leaving no doubt.
In search of their first region title since 2021, Covington Catholic did just that on Saturday in the boys 9th Region soccer championship at Dixie Heights.
The Colonels clamped down on Highlands and won 3-1 in dominant fashion. Considered the top team in northern Kentucky all season, CovCath (15-5-4) lived up to the billing.
“We were basically No. 1 the whole season and had everything to lose,” Colonels coach Jerermy Robertson said. “It’s nice to be on top of this region. There’s some really good teams and it’s nice to be No. 1 in northern Kentucky.”
They scored 13 goals in the region tournament, flashing a display of offense that was hard for anyone to stop, even one of the best in the region in Highlands’ Sam Lang.
The first 40 minutes was an impressive display of soccer from the all blues. They put up 17 shots, 13 of them on goal as they teed off on Lang and the Bluebirds back line.
“Through the playoffs the most important thing for us has been a really strong start and getting that momentum early,” Colonels senior Chris Wessels said.
What was a 3-0 game at the break easily could have been more if it weren’t for some high level saves from the Bluebirds keeper.
Highlands struggled to respond in the first half.
“They earned what they got in the first half and we can’t argue with that,” Bluebirds coach Suli Kayed said. “We looked like we were a little too nervous in the first half and didn’t really get settled in until the second half.”
After an array of chances in the opening minutes, Cole Spaulding broke the ice with a goal in the 12th minute. Tyler Turnpaugh quickly followed a minute later to make it 2-0, 13 minutes into the game.
“Everybody showed up ready to play and we really took it to them,” Turnpaugh said. “We looked to get it down the line and get it across. They could mark our first guy, but they can’t mark the guy back across. That’s how I scored my goal and Dylan scored his.”
Then it was Dylan Warner getting in on the action with a goal in the 33rd minute to give the Colonels the commanding 3-0 lead headed into the break.
Photo slideshow below, provided by Charles Bolton:
Highlands regrouped, settled in and started to get some chances in the second half. It was a struggle for them to get quality chances though, Harrison Gamble finally breaking through in the 59th minute on about a 40-yard rocket and catching Colonels keeper Auggie Eilerman off guard and off his line.
Gamble’s goal made it 3-1, the Bluebirds having thought they made it a 3-2 game with nine minutes and change left off a header, but a foul was whistled and waving the goal off.
The Colonels put the clamps on from there to earn their first region title since 2021.
“Our outside middies (midfielders) did a heck of a job and we really count on them,” Robertson said. “We exploited their defense a little bit with our outsides and getting involved in the point of attack. Sam (Lang) had unbelievable saves, without him in goal I feel like we could have ended the game early.”
CovCath heads to the state tournament, but won’t have to head far, hosting Henry Clay in the first round in a matchup that will most likely take place on Tuesday.
Highlands season ends with a 8-5-4 record. After starting 3-3-3, they went 5-2-1 over their final eight games.
“We didn’t know what to expect coming into the season with a lot of players graduating,” Kayed said. “Proud of getting here. Wish the first half was a lot different for us, but we have to look at the positives of the relationships we created and the seniors have created an environment and culture that will benefit the younger guys moving forward.”
All-Tournament Team: Trevor Bolte, Dixie Heights, Cody Crowder, St. Henry, Joey Yeager, Beechwood, Jonathan Green, Newport Central Catholic, Diego Lakkis, Ryle, Will Brassine, Ryle, Trey Wagner, Conner, Dallas Marshall, Conner, Harrison Gamble, Highlands, Ashton Pawlak, Highlands, Sam Lang, Highlands, Tyler Turnpaugh, Covington Catholic, Tanner Robertson, Covington Catholic, Ryan Burke, Covington Catholic, MVP — David Do, Covington Catholic.