By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
The Ryle boys soccer team that hasn’t won a 9th Region championship since 2023 enters this year’s playoffs ranked No. 6 in the state with a 17-3-1 record.
The Raiders have an 11-0-1 record against Northern Kentucky opponents after finishing the regular season with a 1-1 draw against No. 14 Highlands last Thursday.
The other state-ranked local teams are No. 21 Covington Catholic, last year’s 9th Region champion and state runner-up, and No. 22 St. Henry.
Ryle and St. Henry are the 9th Region co-leaders in total goals scored with 66. The Raiders have three players — Cooper Neace, Chase McCarthy and Danny Harding — with 30 points or more in goals and assists combined.
The Highlands girls soccer team that won last year’s 9th Region title and reached the state final, was ranked No. 17 in the latest statewide coaches poll.
During the regular season, the 11-6-1 Bluebirds posted victories over No. 8 Notre Dame, No. 16 Brossart and No. 18 Simon Kenton, but they lost to No. 20 Ryle.
According to KHSAA statewide statistics, Northern Kentucky’s leading scorers in boys soccer are Beechwood sophomore Westin Wyant with 56 points (25 goals, 6 assists) and Walton-Verona senior Andrew Kowcheck with 51 points (22 goals, 7 assists).
The local co-leaders in girls soccer are Boone County senior Savannah Trout with 45 points (19 goals, 7 assists) and Holy Cross junior Morgan McDonald with 45 points (20 goals, 5 assists).
Boys soccer district tournament schedules
32ND DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Tuesday
Simon Kenton vs. Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Walton-Verona vs. Grant county, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
33RD DISTRICT AT BOONE COUNTY
Tuesday
Ryle vs. Boone County, 5:30 p.m.
Conner vs. Cooper, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.
34TH DISTRICT AT DIXIE HEIGHTS
Monday
Dixie Heights vs. Lloyd, 6 p.m.
St. Henry vs. Villa Madonna, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 7 p.m.
35TH DISTRICT AT HOLMES
Tuesday
Covington Catholic vs. Holmes, 6 p.m.
Beechwood vs. Holy Cross, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 7:30 p.m.
36TH DISTRICT AT NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Tuesday
Championship match: Highlands vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7 p.m.
37TH DISTRICT AT SCOTT
Tuesday
Brossart vs. Scott, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Calvary Christian, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
Girls soccer district tournament schedules
32ND DISTRICT AT GRANT COUNTY
Monday
Walton-Verona vs. Grant County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship match: Simon Kenton vs. Walton-Verona-Grant County winner, 6 p.m.
33RD DISTRICT AT BOONE COUNTY
Monday
Ryle vs. Boone County, 5:30 p.m.
Conner vs. Cooper, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 6:30 p.m.
34TH DISTRICT AT LUDLOW
Monday
Ludlow vs. Lloyd, 5 p.m.
Tuesday
St. Henry vs. Ludlow-Lloyd winner, 5 p.m.
Dixie Heights vs. Villa Madonna, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 6 p.m.
35TH DISTRICT AT BEECHWOOD
Monday
Notre Dame vs. Holmes, 6 p.m.
Beechwood vs. Holy Cross, 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 8 p.m.
36TH DISTRICT AT NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC
Monday
Highlands vs. Dayton, 6 p.m.
Newport Central Catholic vs. Bellevue, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
Championship match, 7 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.