By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
For the third straight year, the Highlands girls soccer team lost a state tournament game without scoring an on-field goal.
South Oldham knocked off Highlands, 2-0, in a state semifinal game on Tuesday at Lexington Dunbar. The Bluebirds were limited to five shots and South Oldham junior goalkeeper Adelle Finerty made four saves in the contest.
Highlands lost to Sacred Heart, 3-0, in last year’s championship final and lost a penalty kick shootout in a 1-0 loss to Lexington Catholic in the first round of the 2024 state playoffs.
South Oldham took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Abigayle Hammons in the 17th minute of the first half. The Dragons made it 2-0 on a penalty kick by Finerty in the 55th minute of the second half.
Finerty posted her 12th shutout in 19 games. Her last save came in the final minutes when she jumped up and punched the ball over the crossbar on a shot taken by Highlands sophomore Ally Lickert.
South Oldham (17-1-2) will play Central Hardin (24-0-3) in the state championship final at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Lexington Sporting Club. Highlands ends the season with an 18-7-1 record.
Highlands senior defender Maddie Lickert and her younger sister, Ally, were named to the state all-tournament team.
The boys soccer state semifinals will be played Wednesday with Ryle taking on defending state champion Louisville St. Xavier at 4:30 p.m. at Lexington Dunbar.
Ryle (24-3-1) outscored its first seven playoff opponents, 36-3, and has four players with 11 goals or more this season. The scoring leaders are seniors Cooper Neace with 51 points (19 goals, 13 assists) and Chase McCarthy with 46 points (17 goals, 12 assists).
St. Xavier (23-0-1) has allowed only five goals in 24 games. The Tigers have won their last 10 games since a 1-1 tie with St. Ignatius of Ohio on Sept. 26.
Soccer boys, girls state tournaments
WEDNESDAY — BOYS SEMIFINALS AT LEXINGTON DUNBAR
Ryle (24-3-1) vs. Louisville St. Xavier (23-0-1), 4:30 p.m.
Lexington Dunbar (17-4-1) vs. Bardstown (21-3), 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY — CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS AT LEXINGTON SPORTING CLUB
GIRLS: South Oldham (17-1-2) vs. Central Hardin (24-0-3), 4:30 p.m.
BOYS: Ryle-St. Xavier winner vs. Dunbar-Bardstown winner, 8 p.m.
Volleyball girls state tournament at George Rogers Clark
FRIDAY — UPPER BRACKET
Paintsville (35-6) vs. Louisville Mercy (29-7), 11 a.m.
Louisville Assumption (37-3) vs. McCracken County (25-15), 1:30 p.m.
FRIDAY — LOWER BRACKET
Notre Dame (26-11) vs. West Jessamine (34-6), 5 p.m.
Whitley County (37-4) vs. Bowling Green (33-7), 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY
Upper bracket semifinal, 11 a.m.
Lower bracket semifinal, 1:30 p.m.
Championship final, 7:30 p.m.