No score after extra time. The game is suspended prior to kicks for... wait for it... darkness. The girls will complete kicks tomorrow at 5:15 prior to the 5:30 kickoff of the boys semi-final game.

Beyond the lighting issue, the game itself wasn't without some controversy. Dixie had a goal called off. Ref decided that the Villa keeper had possession of the ball when a Dixie player headed a ball out of the Villa keeper's hands. If you were wearing blue tonight, of course the keeper had possession. If you were wearing red, the keeper did not.

 

Dixie had the better of the play but did not finish. Villa was hanging on by a thread by the end, but did not snap. The second half and extra time was basically spent in the Villa half. Sorry St. Henry, you need to wait another night to see who you face in the final.

It was a great game to watch. The refs got a lot right and some wrong for both teams - definitely let them play. Villa goalie, Abby Hengge, played exceptional for not playing goalie this year while subbing tonight for both goalies - one sick and one recovering from surgery. She did a great job tonight. I would love to see it played out and not rely on PKs.

No lights?

Gee, you'd think they'd schedule accordingly for possible extra time and PKs. What a shame they wait around all day in school tomorrow to show up for PKs.

It is my understanding that Villa tried to schedule the game for 5:00 and Dixie coach said they couldn't get there that early.

There are 5 District games this week scheduled at Villa. All of them are scheduled at 530. I would think that officials availability at 5 would figure into the scheduled time of 530??

The officials were all at the field today before they began collecting money at the gate. Not sure what time that would have been but it was before 5:00.

I would agree that the 5:00 start would no doubt limit the referee pool. Not saying there aren't people who can make it but the numbers are probably small.

 

I also think some schools have bus restrictions so that might have been a factor.

 

This isn't the first time I think a post season game has had to delay for light.

Bus is definitely one factor. I have not seen a Dixie bus for boys or girls leave prior to 4:15, and that included a Monday trip to Henry Clay. But I'm sure parents are another. Can you hear the blistering comments to an athletic director (heck, all the AD's) for scheduling a 4:30 playoff game? You cannot schedule these games before the parents of the athletes are generally available (i.e. after work). But officially per KHSAA, you cannot start a contest before 3:30 pm or after 11:00 pm. That's all they say on the timing topic.

 

I hope the keepers were able to sleep last night. This is an unfair burden on them. Until tonight at 5:15...

Why are these games being played on a field with no lights?

Because, as district games, they can be. There is an element of home field advantage given the nature of the grass, and I will speculate field size. It looks smaller, but I'm sure within KHSAA regulation -- no accusations being made here. That can be an optical illusion given most fields have a track around them, and and as a spectator sitting higher up in some stadium like grandstand. And light towers for perspective.

 

OK I knew I threw the last dig in, but I feel I am authorized as a parent of a Covington Latin graduate who spent 5 years down in the green oasis, the lush pitch of the Bill Cappel Sports Complex. But when you're hosting Notre Dame in the 35th district, going to kicks is not an issue. You just hope to make to the second half kickoff.

This is why they should never host the districts. I would think Villa would have the advantage today. They can get there right after school and start practicing PK's if they want and the goalie will have plenty of time to see some PK's. Bad decision to let them host.

Thankfully the ADs were making this decision and not you. Not everyone has the luxury of taxpayer facilities. The field and setting meet all the KHSAA requirements and they have as much right to host a district every four years in any sport as the other schools.

 

This is why they should never host the districts. I would think Villa would have the advantage today. They can get there right after school and start practicing PK's if they want and the goalie will have plenty of time to see some PK's. Bad decision to let them host.

Thanks for the info, but one has to ask then why the KHSAA doesnt require lights for District host. Seems silly to me when your end of season time is pretty much in all darkness.