By Terry Boehmker
NKyTribune sports reporter
Ryle played in the semifinals of the boys state soccer tournament for the fourth time in seven years on Wednesday and penalty kicks prevented the Raiders from making it to the championship match once again.
In the fourth round of a penalty kick shootout, Louisville St. Xavier converted its attempt to take a 3-1 lead and senior goalkeeper TC Kron made a save on Ryle’s next attempt to clinch the victory for the defending state champions.
In two of the Raiders’ previous three trips to the state semifinals, they lost PK shootouts against St. Xavier in 2023 and South Warren in 2020.
Both goals in Wednesday’s game were scored in the first half. St. Xavier senior Logan Seales got the first one in the second minute off an assist by junior James Walker.
Ryle tied it in the 13th minute on a penalty kick by senior Chase McCarthy. He got that goal against a backup goalkeeper because Kron received a yellow card for a hard foul and had to leave the game until the next substitution opportunity.
Final statistics showed St. Xavier had an 8-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Tigers also took eight corner kicks while the Raiders had none. Ryle junior goalkeeper Andrew Stropko made seven saves with the last one coming in the final seconds of the second five-minute overtime period.
Ryle finished the season with a 24-4-1 record. Cooper Neace and Damian Lakkis were named to the state all-tournament team.
St. Xavier (24-0-1) will take a perfect record against Kentucky opponents into the state title game against Lexington Dunbar (18-4-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Lexington Sporting Center.
The Tigers have collected 17 state championship trophies in boys soccer. They won 15 over the last 31 years with the last two coming in 2023 and 2025.
Volleyball 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.