By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
St. Henry lost to five-time champion Bardstown Bethlehem, 3-0, in the semifinal round of the All “A” Classic girls soccer state tournament on Friday at Barker Brown Athletic Complex in Louisville.
In the statewide coaches rankings, Bethlehem was No. 18 and St. Henry was No. 23. Bethlehem (13-4) will play Owensboro Catholic (10-4) in Sunday’s 11 a.m. state championship game.
Brossart won the last two All “A” Classic girls state titles. St. Henry defeated Brossart in the sectional playoffs to earn a berth in this state tournament berth this year, but the Crusaders (11-4-1) couldn’t get past Bethlehem.
In first-round matches on Friday, Bethlehem blanked Walton-Verona, 7-0, and St. Henry knocked off University Heights, 6-0, with six players scoring goals and senior goalkeeper Kaylee Ryan posting a shutout.
The Crusaders took an early lead when all-tournament nominee Hayden Harlan scored off an assist by Ava Waymeyer at the seven-minute mark. Macy Garner made it 2-0 by putting the ball in the net off a corner kick by Mady Lux, who was also named to the all-tournament team.
Waymeyer got the scoring parade started in the second half. St. Henry’s last three goals were by Bella O’Neill, Reegan Conley and Ashlyn Landerwich.
Walton-Verona dropped out of the tournament with a 9-3-3 record. All three of the Bearcats’ losses this season have come in shutouts.
The opening round of the All “A” Classic boys soccer state tournament will be played Saturday at Barker Brown Athletic Complex in Louisville. One of those four matches will be St. Henry (10-4) vs. Danville (9-5-3) at 11:45 a.m. with the winner advancing to the semifinals at 6 p.m. Saturday.