By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Highlands converted four consecutive penalty kicks in a tiebreaker shootout and defeated Notre Dame, 1-0, in the 9th Region girls soccer semifinals on Wednesday at Tower Park in Ft. Thomas.
The Bluebirds (15-6-1) will play Ryle (15-6-3) in the region championship match at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. This is Ryle’s first appearance in the region final since the current playoff format began in 2012. Highlands won the last two region titles and has a 7-2 record in the finals over the last 14 years.
Highlands junior goalkeeper Bailee Class played a key role in her team’s semifinal victory. Notre Dame got several balls past Highlands defenders playing an offside trap, but Class came away from the net, often beyond the penalty box, to pick off passes and shots.
In the shootout, Class made a save on the Pandas’ second attempt and the fourth one went wide of the net.
Ryle won the other semifinal match against St. Henry, 6-1, to reach the 9th Region final for the first time under the current format. The Raiders defeated Highlands, 1-0, in a regular season match on Aug. 22.
Brossart and Scott will meet in the 10th Region championship match at 7 p.m. Thursday at Montgomery County. In the semifinals on Wednesday, Scott defeated Montgomery County, 8-0, and Scott knocked off Harrison County, 7-0.
Brossart (16-5-3) has won 12 straight matches, including a pair of shutout victories over Scott (11-6-3). The teams faced each other in the 32nd District final last week and the Mustangs came away with a 7-0 win.
In the 8th Region semifinals, South Oldham knocked off Simon Kenton, 3-0, Wednesday and will meet Woodford County in the title match.
Volleyball teams win district titles to earn region top seeds
Newport Central Catholic, St. Henry and Simon Kenton won district volleyball championship matches on Wednesday and will be among the No. 1 seeds in region tournaments next week.
Simon Kenton got past Walton-Verona, 3-2, to claim the 32nd District title for the ninth consecutive year. This is the first time since 2020 that Walton-Verona made it to the district final. Both teams qualify for the next week’s 10th Region tournament at Eminence.
NewCath defeated Highlands, 3-2, to end the Bluebirds’ nine-year reign as 36th District champion. St. Henry took the 34th District title for the 15th time in 16 years with a 3-0 win over Dixie Heights.
All four of those teams will compete in the 9th Region tournament at Dayton next week. A draw to determine the brackets is scheduled for Friday.
Volleyball district tournaments
33RD DISTRICT AT CONNER
Thursday
Championship match: Conner vs. Ryle, 6 p.m.
35TH DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Thursday
Championship match: Beechwood vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m.
37TH DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Thursday
Championship match: Brossart vs. Calvary Christian, 6 p.m.
Girls soccer region tournaments
REGION 9 AT FT. THOMAS TOWER PARK
Saturday
Championship match: Ryle vs. Highlands, 4:30 p.m.
REGION 10 AT MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Thursday
Championship match: Brossart vs. Scott, 7 p.m.
REGION 8 AT GRANT COUNTY
Saturday
Championship match: Woodford County vs. South Oldham, 5 p. m.
Boys soccer region tournaments
REGION 9 AT FT. THOMAS TOWER PARK
Thursday
Newport Central Catholic vs. St. Henry, 6 p.m.
Ryle vs. Beechwood, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 1 p.m.
REGION 10 AT CAMPBELL COUNTY
Thursday
Campbell County vs. Montgomery County, 6 p.m.
Mason County vs. Brossart, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 2 p.m.
REGION 8 AT GRANT COUNTY
Thursday
Grant County vs. South Oldham, 6 p.m.
Simon Kenton vs. North Oldham, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship match, 7 p.m.