By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Conner and Notre Dame girls soccer teams enter next week’s district tournaments as the leading contenders for the 9th Region title based on the Ratings Percentage Index that ranks teams according to won-loss records and strength of schedule.
They did not face each other during the regular season, but Conner (18-2-1) has a higher RPI than Notre Dame (10-3-4). One of their common opponents is Highlands, a team that tied Notre Dame, 0-0, and lost to Conner, 2-0, in late September.

In the final statewide poll of girls soccer coaches, Conner was No. 3, Notre Dame was No. 4 and Highlands was No. 11.
Conner has posted shutouts in 16 of its 21 matches. Senior goalkeeper Ally Welch has made 58 saves and given up only six goals with the help of her teammates. The Cougars had freshman Cara Fay in the net when they lost to Lexington Dunbar, 3-2, last week.
Notre Dame went 3-0-2 in its last five regular season matches. The Pandas started the season with six starters returning from last year’s 9th Region championship team that made it to the semifinals of the state playoffs. One of them is senior Riley Robertson, the top scorer on this year’s team.
Conner and Notre Dame have vastly different records in the post-season playoffs over the last five seasons. During that period, the Pandas compiled a 26-4 record, winning one state, two region and five district titles, while the Cougars went 8-8 with two district titles.
Northern Kentucky soccer teams will be competing in six boys and six girls district tournaments next week. Here are the schedules:
Girls soccer district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA
Tuesday
Walton-Verona vs. Grant County, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona-Grant County winner, 8 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT COOPER
Monday
Conner vs. Boone County, 6 p.m.
Ryle vs. Cooper, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS
Monday
St. Henry vs. Villa Madonna, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Dixie Heights vs. Ludlow, 7 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 5:30 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Tuesday
Notre Dame vs. Holmes, 6 p.m.
Beechwood vs. Holy Cross, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Monday
Newport Central Catholic vs. Bellevue, 6 p.m.
Highlands vs. Dayton, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Monday
Brossart vs. Calvary Christian, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Scott, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
Boys soccer district tournaments
32nd DISTRICT AT WALTON-VERONA
Monday
Simon Kenton vs. Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Walton-Verona vs. Grant County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
33rd DISTRICT AT COOPER
Tuesday
Conner vs. Cooper, 6 p.m.
Ryle vs. Boone County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
34th DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS
Monday
St. Henry vs. Villa Madonna, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship: Dixie Heights vs. St. Henry-Villa Madonna winner, 8 p.m.
35th DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD
Monday
Beechwood vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Tuesday
Covington Catholic vs. Holmes, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
36th DISTRICT AT NORTHERN KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY
Tuesday
Championship: Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 6 p.m.
37th DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Tuesday
Campbell County vs. Scott, 6 p.m.
Brossart vs. Calvary Christian, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 8 p.m.