By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Newport Central Catholic upset Highlands, 4-2, in the 36th District boys soccer final on Tuesday to take the title for the first time since 2023. Both teams move on to the next week’s 9th Region tournament that’s set to begin Tuesday.
Highlands (11-1-5) was No. 14 in the latest MaxPreps state rankings and posted a 1-0 win over NewCath (15-5-1) during the regular season. Since that match, NewCath has gone 9-1 and scored 30 goals.
The Thoroughbreds got goals from senior Simon Hoskins and juniors Andrew Green, Ian Darnell, and Brody Boyers in Tuesday’s win on their new home field. Hoskins has a team-high 13 goals.
The 9th Region boys bracket will include six other district finalists — Dixie Heights, St.Henry, Ryle, Cooper, Beechwood and two-time defending champion Covington Catholic.
On the girls side, St. Henry and Dixie Heights won 34th District semifinal games Tuesday to earn berths in next week’s 9th Region tournament. That field will also include Ryle, Conner, Notre Dame, Holy Cross, Newport Central Catholic and two-time defending champion Highlands.
The Brossart boys and girls teams will defend the 10th Region titles they won last year as returning 37th District champions. The Scott girls are also 10th Region qualifiers. The 8th Region tournaments will include Simon Kenton boys and girls, Walton-Verona girls and Grant County boys.
Boys soccer district tournament schedules
32ND DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Thursday
Championship match: Simon Kenton vs. Grant County, 8 p.m.
33RD DISTRICT AT BOONE COUNTY
Thursday
Championship match: Ryle vs. Cooper, 6:30 p.m.
34TH DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS
Wednesday
Championship match: Dixie Heights vs. St. Henry, 7 p.m.
35TH DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Thursday
Championship match: Covington Catholic vs. Beechwood, 7:30 p.m.
37TH DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Thursday
Championship match: Brossart vs. Campbell County-Calvary Christian winner, 8 p.m.
Girls soccer district tournament schedules
32ND DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Thursday
Championship match: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona, 6 p.m.
33RD DISTRICT AT BOONE COUNTY
Wednesday
Championship match: Ryle vs. Conner, 6:30 p.m.
34TH DISTRICT AT LUDLOW
Wednesday
Championship match: St. Henry vs. Dixie Heights, 6 p.m.
35TH DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD
Wednesday
Championship match: Notre Dame vs. Holy Cross, 8 p.m.
36TH DISTRICT AT NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Wednesday
Championship match: Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
37TH DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Thursday
Championship match: Brossart vs. Scott, 6 p.m.