What a game…the Cougars come out with what talking heads will call an upset in the opening round of the 33rd district tournament. 
 

Conner came out with a little different lineup tonight going a little bigger in the midfield (which I think won the game for them). The first half went back and forth but Conner was doing well on the attack not really giving Cooper a lot of shot opportunities. With about 1 minute left Cooper finally got a shot off by Dawson who takes it with his left foot from about 30 yards out and drills it in the top left corner. 1-0 Cooper…no way Wagner or any EPL keeper was saving that one, best shot I’ve seen all year. 
 

Second half starts and Conner had the wind to assist them which made a difference in this game. With about 15 minutes remaining Conner gets a throw in on the Cooper side that goes to Ethan Sands who crosses it in the box to Noah Walker who heads it in the back of the net. Conner 1 Cooper 1. It would remain this way through regulation. 
 

On to overtime.  Conner kicks off but Cooper now has the wind. Conner does a good job of holding them off and 1st OT ends tied. 2nd OT Conner has the wind and is pushing forward but Cooper holds. Cooper makes a final push the last 30 seconds but Conner holds and to PK’s we go. 
 

Conner is up first, kick blocked by the Cooper keeper, crowd and Cooper sideline going crazy, Conner player a little dejected but wait…the AR on the goal line has his flag up, Cooper keeper comes off his line early and Conner gets another chance. This time the shot is buried upper 90 left side 1-0 Conner.  Cooper player steps up, takes the kick which the Conner keeper gets his hands on but it goes in. Cooper 1 Conner 1.

This is where the 1st play of the game comes in for Conner. Conner player makes their PK shot. Cooper player approaches, takes their shot to the right and it’s blocked by Owen King of Conner. Conner 2 Cooper 1.  

Third and fourth set of kicks each player makes their kick, now onto the fifth set of PK’s.  
Conner 4 Cooper 3. 
 

Second play of the game for the Cougars…Daniel Campbell steps up, Cooper student section yelling, looks at the keeper, runs up takes the shot…Cooper keeper goes to his right Campbell’s shot goes down the middle to the back of the net. Conner 5 Cooper 3 on PK’s as they (Cooper) didn’t get to take the last one as there was no way to tie due to the missed PK on the second attempt. 
 

Conner will now play Ryle on Tuesday at 5:30 pm at Boone County. 
 

Nice season by the Jaguars, unfortunately the 33rd is the best district in the region and a good team is always left out. 

I want to say I am surprised but I really am not.  I think the next 2 weeks are going to be something else!!!!

Great work to Conner, great season for Cooper.  

Let's hold onto our hats for this WILD RIDE we just started!!!!!

Super happy for Conner and their young men, this was a BIG hump to get over and they did it.  

Cooper had been pointing towards this year, were ranked in every system in the Top 10 in KY, but Coach Flesch and his young men weren't able to survive PKs (again) and end their season much earlier than many thought.  Wow.  Coach Flesch is not without his detractors, and this will certainly fuel them during the long off-season.

How big was that PK outcome versus Ryle now a couple of weeks ago?  Wow!!!  

Good luck Cougars, enjoy the 9th Region Tournament, you earned it!!!