By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Covington Catholic advanced to the championship game of the boys’ state soccer tournament for the first time since 1998 with a 5-0 win over Louisville Fern Creek in the semifinals on Wednesday.
CovCath will play Lexington Henry Clay in the title game at 5 p.m. Saturday at Dunbar High School in Lexington. Henry Clay won state titles in 2010 and 1991 while CovCath has an 0-2 record in championship games.
The Colonels dominated time of possession in the semifinal game and finished with a 34-8 advantage in shots on goal. But they didn’t put a ball into net until the 26th minute when junior Griffin Lamb scored off an assist by senior Austin Flynn.
In the next six minutes, CovCath increased its lead to 3-0 on goals by Lamb and senior Michael Wessels. The score remained the same until early in the second half when senior Jacob Litzler volleyed a pass from Lamb into the net. The Colonels’ final goal was scored by junior Cameron Berling in the 76th minute.
Senior goalkeeper Sam Romes had three saves when he was pulled in the 76th minute and replaced by senior Andrew Hellmueller. They posted the team’s fourth shutout in eight playoff victories.
CovCath will take a 23-2-2 record into Saturday’s state championship game against a Henry Clay team that knocked off defending state champion Bowling Green, 1-0, in the other semifinal.
Northern Kentucky boys’ soccer teams have an 0-8 record in state championship games. Last year, Bowling Green defeated Scott, 6-4, in a championship final that set a state tournament record for most total goals scored.