By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Covington Catholic and Notre Dame soccer teams that won 9th Region boys’ and girls’ championships last year have returned to the finals once again.
CovCath defeated St. Henry, 2-1, and Notre Dame downed Newport Central Catholic, 4-1, in regional semifinal games on Thursday to get a chance to defend their titles.
CovCath will face Ryle in a rematch of last year’s 9th Region boys’ final at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Ryle. The Colonels won last year’s game, 1-0, in a penalty kick shootout and went on to become the first Northern Kentucky team to win a state championship in boys’ soccer.
Notre Dame and Highlands will meet in the 9th Region girls’ final at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Tower Park in Ft. Thomas. The Pandas have won five consecutive regional titles, defeating Highlands in both the 2013 9th Region final and the 2011 10th Region final.
Highlands came from behind to defeat Boone County, 2-1, in the other 9th Region girls’ semifinal game on Thursday. Boone County had a 1-0 lead in the second half when the game was postponed Wednesday due to lightning and heavy rain. When the game resumed on Thursday, Highlands scored goals on shots by Kiersten Clukey and Maria Wiefering to come away with the victory.
Ryle defeated Highlands, 1-0, in the first 9th Region boys’ regional semifinal game on Thursday. The Raiders have not allowed a goal in four district and regional playoff victories and now have 18 shutouts this season. One of those shutouts was a 2-0 win over CovCath on Sept. 17.
Clark County knocked off Campbell County, 2-1, in a 10th Region girls’ semifinal game on Thursday. The 8th Region girls’ championship game between Simon Kenton and South Oldham was cancelled Thursday due to poor field conditions caused by the rain and re-scheduled for Friday.
The 10th Region boys’ semifinal games involving Brossart and Campbell County were also postponed until Friday. Here is the revised schedule for regional tournament games involving local teams:
9TH REGION BOYS AT RYLE HIGH SCHOOL
Saturday
Championship: Covington Catholic vs. Ryle, 4:30 p.m.
9TH REGION GIRLS AT TOWER PARK, FT. THOMAS
Saturday
Championship: Highlands vs. Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.
8TH REGION GIRLS AT WALTON-VERONA SPORTS COMPLEX
Friday
Championship: Simon Kenton vs. South Oldham, 7 p.m.
10TH REGION BOYS AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Friday
Campbell County vs. Pendleton County, 6 p.m.
Brossart vs. Montgomery County, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 6 p.m.