By Terry Boehmker
NKy Tribune sports reporter
The Notre Dame girls’ soccer team that has won five consecutive regional championships continued its successful run in the post-season playoffs with a 5-2 win over Ryle in the opening round of the 9th Region tournament on Monday at Ryle.
Maya Decker and Mary Tierney each scored two goals for the Pandas, who will take a 17-6-1 record into their regional semifinal match against Newport Central Catholic at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Tower Park in Ft. Thomas.
NewCath knocked off Dixie Heights, 1-0, in another first-round game on Monday with senior forward Taylor Tolle getting the Thoroughbreds’ lone goal off an assist from senior midfielder Natalie Martin. Tolle is one of the state’s leading scorers with 34 goals in 22 games.
In other 9th Region first-round games, Highlands clipped St. Henry, 1-0, and Boone County defeated Holy Cross, 4-0, to advance to the other semifinal match at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Tower Park.
Sophomore midfielder Ryielan Hamilton netted three of the four goals for Boone County to give her 33 on the year. Highlands posted its 18th shutout of the season with Olivia McQueary in the net. The lone goal in that game came from Alison Gessner off a pass from Maria Broering.
In the 8th Region playoffs, defending champion Simon Kenton ripped Collins, 10-0, and Anderson County defeated Walton-Verona, 2-0, in two of the four first-round games played Monday.
Abigail Zoeller netted three goals and teammates Tatum Ponzer and Morgan Stamper had two each for the Pioneers, who will play Oldham County in the semifinals at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Walton-Verona Sports Complex. Simon Kenton defeated Oldham County, 3-0, in a regular season game on Sept. 28.
Bourbon County edged Brossart, 3-2, and Campbell County defeated Mason County, 3-1, in the first round of the 10th Region tournament on Monday at Harrison County. Campbell County will play Clark County in a semifinal game at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
9TH REGION AT TOWER PARK, FT. THOMAS
Wednesday
Boone County vs. Highlands, 5:30 p.m.
Notre Dame vs. Newport Central Catholic, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 7:30 p.m.
8TH REGION AT WALTON-VERONA SPORTS COMPLEX
Tuesday
Anderson County vs. South Oldham, 6 p.m.
Simon Kenton vs. Oldham County, 8 p.m.
Thursday
Championship game, 7 p.m.
10th REGION AT HARRISON COUNTY
Wednesday
Harrison County vs. Bourbon County, 6 p.m.
Campbell County vs. Clark County, 8 p.m.
Saturday
Championship game, 2 p.m.