By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Putting an end to losing streaks has become a habit for the Newport Central Catholic boys soccer team this season.
On Tuesday, the Thoroughbreds won their first 9th Region tournament match since 2019 when they edged Cooper, 3-2, in the opening round of the eight-team playoffs at Covington Catholic.
Junior midfielder Jonathan Green scored all three goals for the Thoroughbreds, including the game-winner in sudden death overtime that came on a header off a corner kick. Green had a total of four goals this season coming into that match.
Last week, NewCath (16-5) won its first 36th District title since 2015 and the team snapped a 14-game losing streak against long-time rival Highlands in the regular season. If the Thoroughbreds win their match against Dixie Heights (8-9-2) at 5 p.m. Thursday at Boone County, they’ll play in the 9th Region championship game for the first time since 2013.
NewCath hasn’t won a boys soccer region title in the post-season playoffs since 2011 when local teams competed in two four-team regions.
In other 9th Region boys first-round games on Tuesday, defending champion Ryle defeated St. Henry, 2-0, Dixie Heights knocked off Holy Cross, 4-2, and Highlands came from behind to beat Covington Catholic, 3-2.
Dixie Heights sophomore Trevor Bolte scored three goals in his team’s victory to give him seven on the season. The winning goal for Highlands came off a header by senior Zach DeSylva.
In boys 10th Region tournament matches on Tuesday, Brossart defeated Mason County, 10-0, and Campbell County defeated Montgomery County, 6-0, to advance to the semifinals on Thursday.
Soccer region tournament schedules
9th REGION BOYS AT BOONE COUNTY
Thursday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Dixie Heights, 5 p.m.
Highlands vs. Ryle, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 2 p.m.
8th REGION BOYS AT CARROLL COUNTY
Wednesday
Simon Kenton vs. North Oldham, 6 p.m.
Collins vs. South Oldham, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
10th REGION BOYS AT BROSSART
Thursday
Brossart vs. George Rogers Clark, 5:30 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Harrison County, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 1 p.m.
9th REGION GIRLS AT NOTRE DAME
Wednesday
Cooper vs. Dixie Heights, 5:30 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. Highlands, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match at Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
10th REGION GIRLS AT GEORGE ROGERS CLARK
Wednesday
Campbell County vs. George Rogers Clark, 6 p.m.
Brossart vs. Pendleton County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 7 p.m.