By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
After compiling a 3-3 record in state tournament matches over the last three years, the Notre Dame girls’ soccer team wants to re-establish itself as a leading contender for the state title once again.
The Pandas took the first step toward that goal with a 4-1 win over Lexington Catholic in the opening round of this year’s state tournament on Monday in Lexington.
Simon Kenton also posted an impressive first-round victory on the road Monday. The Pioneers whipped North Bullitt, 9-0, with seven players getting goals and extended their current winning streak to 13 matches.
Notre Dame (20-5-2) took a 2-1 lead early in the second half when senior forward Audrey Muck scored her second goal of the match. The Pandas maintained the slim lead until sophomore Julia Day and junior Maya Decker scored in the final 11 minutes to clinch the win.
Lexington Catholic (18-8) was state runner-up the last two years and beat defending state champion West Jessamine, 3-2, earlier this season. But the Knights didn’t get many scoring opportunities against a Notre Dame defense that has given up only five goals in its last 13 matches.
Notre Dame will play Corbin (10-11-2) in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament on Saturday in Lexington. The time and site will be announced on Wednesday.
This is the seventh consecutive year that Notre Dame has earned a berth in the state tournament. The Pandas made it to the championship final the first three years, winning state titles in 2011 and 2013. After losing in the semifinals in 2014, their last two teams went 1-1 and 0-1 in state tournament matches.
Simon Kenton (16-6-3) scored twice in the first eight minutes of its match against North Bullitt and extended the lead to 4-0 by halftime. The first three goals were scored by seniors Cayla Coleman, Lara Cox and Megan Buckner. Junior goalkeeper Skylin Yates got the next one by putting a penalty kick into the net.
Junior midfielder Haley Dougherty kept the scoring spree going with two goals in the first six minutes of the second half. Jade Walters also scored twice in the second half and Morgan Stamper got the Pioneers’ other goal.
North Bullitt (16-6-1) was shut out for only the third time this season. The Eagles had scored 101 goals in their other 20 matches.
Simon Kenton will play Louisville Sacred Heart (21-2), the top-ranked team in the state, in a quarterfinal match on Saturday in Lexington. The time and site will be determined on Wednesday.
Two years ago, Sacred Heart defeated Simon Kenton, 3-0, and Notre Dame, 1-0, in the first two rounds of the state tournament and went on to win the championship. Last year, the Pioneers made it to the semifinals and lost to eventual state champion West Jessamine, 1-0, in a penalty kick shootout.
Hi
Thank you very much for writing such a great article. They really are a great group of respectful young ladies. I was wondering how I could obtain multiple copies of this article? I was hoping to frame several copies for the coach and my daughter/her cousin. Please let me know and thank you very much.
Patrick — all you have to do is call up the story and print it out. It’s free, as is all of our content.
Judy,
Thank you very much. So you have any sort of option on buying the article? I know other papers have options to have it printed out in a glossy format. Thank you so much for helping me out.
Patrick
We don’t, Patrick. I wish we could and maybe someday. But you can print it out and/or format it in any way to make a copy to frame. That’s free, of course — and we do encourage to do that. Are you able to get it formatted for framing?