By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Notre Dame junior midfielder Sarah Schuh scored a goal in each half of her team’s 3-0 win over Bishop Brossart in a rain-soaked sectional playoff match on Tuesday at Tower Park in Ft. Thomas.
The Pandas advance to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs and face Louisville Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. Saturday at Lafayette High School in Lexington. In the latest statewide girls’ soccer coaches poll, Sacred Heart was No. 1 and Notre Dame was No. 2.
Notre Dame junior goalkeeper Audrey Nienaber got the shutout in Tuesday’s win that lifted her team’s record to 20-5. The Pandas’ other goal in the second half was scored by sophomore midfielder Maddie Wilhoite, who also had the assist on one of Schuh’s two goals.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Notre Dame has advanced to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. The Pandas won the 2011 and 2013 state titles with victories over Sacred Heart in the championship finals both years. Earlier this season, Sacred Heart defeated Notre Dame, 3-0, in the championship game of the Lady Knights Cup at Lexington Catholic High School.
GOALS: ND — Sarah Schuh 2, Maddie Wilhoite.
SHUTOUT: ND — Audrey Nienaber.
RECORDS: Notre Dame 20-5, Brossart 14-10.
Louisville Sacred Heart 3, Simon Kenton 0
Sacred Heart showed why its the top-ranked team in the state by limiting Simon Kenton to just two shots on goal and posting its 19th shutout of the season in a sectional playoff game that was played in the rain on Tuesday at Scott High School.
The Valkyries took a 2-0 lead in the final six minutes of the first half on goals by Kiley Polk and Cassie Amshoff. The Sacred Heart defense anchored by goalkeeper Sarah Stodhill protected that lead and Amshoff scored another goal early in the second half.
Sacred Heart defenders played close attention to Simon Kenton midfielder Abigail Zoeller, who scored 31 goals for the Pioneers this season. Zoeller was an all-state player for Sacred Heart the last two years before transferring to Simon Kenton.
Sacred Heart advances to the state quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last five seasons and plays Notre Dame at 6 p.m. Saturday at Lafayette High School in Lexington.
GOALS: SA — Cassie Amshoff 2, Kiley Polk.
SHUTOUT: SA — Sarah Stodghill.
RECORDS: Sacred Heart 19-4-1, Simon Kenton 18-4.
NewCath players sweep top awards in 9th Region girls’ soccer all-star balloting
Newport Central Catholic teammates Taylor Tolle and Meg Martin were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year in 9th Region girls’ soccer by local coaches.
Tolle was the leading scorer and Martin the starting goalkeeper on the NewCath team that won the All “A” Classic small-school state tournament and finished the season with a 22-2 record.
The Coach of the Year awards will go to Kevin Turnick of NewCath for small schools and Mike Hughes of Boone county for large schools. Boone County was the 9th Region runner-up this season.
2015 9TH REGION GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER COACHES ALL-STAR TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Goalkeeper – Meg Martin (NewCath)
Field Players – Taylor Tolle (NewCath), Mary Tierney (Notre Dame), Payton Black (Boone County), Taylor Watts (Notre Dame), Ansley Davenport (NewCath), Kiersten Clukey (Highlands), Lyndsey Meyer (Highlands), Rachel Samotis (St. Henry), Paige Mersmann (Boone County), Macey Tranter (Notre Dame), Danielle Watt (Dixie Heights).
SECOND TEAM
Goalkeeper – Emily Bleska (Cooper).
Field Players – Ellie Vandergriff (Notre Dame), Rielyn Hamilton (Boone County), Ruthie Barth (NewCath), Olivia Panella (Conner), Haley Crothers (Highlands), Kerri Austin (Ryle), Sydney Auteri (St. Henry), Jenna Ahlbrand (NewCath), Jewel Gerding (Holy Cross), Sydney Ossege (Highlands), Sarah Schuh (Notre Dame).
THIRD TEAM
Goalkeeper – Ellis McCarthy (Dixie Heights)
Field Players – Jodi Litzler (St. Henry), Megan Bine (Ryle), Lexie Aytes (Villa Madonna), Sophie Steppe (Highlands), Jill Zurborg (Holy Cross), Carly Noel (Conner), Hannah Tharp (Boone County), Donnelly Simmins (NewCath), Lydia Murphy (Ryle), Marissa Jutzi (Boone County), Rachel Hatfield (Dixie Heights).
AWARD-WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Year – Taylor Tolle (NewCath)
Defensive Player of the Year – Megan Martin (NewCath)
Coach of the Year (Small School) – Kevin Turnick (NewCath)
Coach of the Year (Large School) – Mike Hughes (Boone County)