By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Lauren Deckert isn’t listed as a goalkeeper on the Highlands girls soccer roster, but the senior protected the net well enough in a penalty kick shootout on Tuesday for the Bluebirds to defeat West Jessamine, 1-0, in the first round of the state tournament.
The first round of penalty kicks ended in a 3-3 tie because Deckert, a starting defender for the Bluebirds, blocked West Jessamine’s last shot with her foot. After Highlands converted its second attempt in the second round of penalty kicks, Deckert blocked a shot with her foot once again to give her team the victory.
The Bluebirds (18-3-5) advance to the state quarterfinals and play Lexington Catholic (18-6-1) at 4 p.m. Saturday at Tower Park in Ft. Thomas. When the teams played in the semifinals of Lexington Catholic’s tournament on Sept. 11, Highlands won, 1-0, in a penalty kick shootout.
The Highlands boys soccer team’s first-round victory in the state playoffs on Tuesday was less dramatic. Caymon Stevie scored three goals to lead the Bluebirds to a 6-3 win over Danville that lifted their record to 17-5-4. It was the highest single-game goal total of the season for the 9th Region champions.
In the boys state quarterfinals, Highlands will face a Lexington Henry Clay team that blanked Calvary Christian, 3-0, in another first-round game on Tuesday. Henry Clay (22-1-3) has not lost to an in-state opponent this season, but one of its ties was against Highlands, 1-1, on Sept. 7. The Bluebirds will be home team for the rematch at 7 p.m. Saturday at Tower Park.
In volleyball post-season playoffs on Tuesday, Highlands swept Newport Central Catholic, 25-11, 25-13, 25-9, to take the 36th District title and Simon Kenton defeated Williamstown, 25-8, 25-14, 25-18, in the 32nd District final. All four of those teams earned berths in next week’s regional tournaments.
The district volleyball finals scheduled for Wednesday are:
33rd — Ryle vs. Cooper, 6 p.m. at Boone County
34th — Dixie Heights vs. St. Henry, 6 p.m. at Lloyd
35th — Notre Dame vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m. at Holy Cross
37th — Campbell County vs. Scott, 7 p.m. at Brossart