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Having seen Conner play every game...in my opinion the Cougars do not attack enough from the outside. They like to go down the middle of the field where there is lots of traffic and tend to lose the ball when attacking the opponents back line. When the ball does go outside no one is there cause they are more towards the middle wanting the ball. I'm not sure how many shots Conner averages a game, but it is not enough, sometimes it seems they are looking for the perfect (closer) shot instead of taking the open (further) shot. Leading scorer for Conner (Arevalo) has 7 goals and 3 of those were against Boone County. The Cougars tend to struggle to score against the middle of the pack teams and up. Conner's defense this year has been really good and the emergence of Kyle Albrink as a center back with Daniel Campbell has allowed Conner to push Cosmin up to help with the attack. The goalies for Conner are strong too, so if shots get taken they have done very well in keeping the ball out of the back of the net. Of course just my opinion as a spectator in the stands.

Not much to report on this one. Simon Kenton moved the ball well, controlled the middle of the field but just couldn't break down the goal keeping duo of Owen King and Trey Wagner who secure the combined shut out. Coach Walker ends up pulling most of his starters with about 10 minutes left and the reserves (mostly JV players) for Conner do enough to secure the tie. Conner plays Cooper on Thursday so I think Coach Walker was looking ahead and wanted to ensure that none of his starting 11 got hurt before the all important District 33 game. This was my first time seeing Simon Kenton and #3 and #10 for them are nice players, impressed with their skill and ability to control the ball in tight spaces.

I would say besides the Ryle/Highlands game this was the biggest game of the night. Conner came in 6-0-0 on the season having beat Cov Cath earlier in the season at Conner 6-4. Cov Cath strikes first with a cross from the right side that finds a Colonels head into the back of the net. Cov Cath then scores again off a corner kick, another header 2-0. Cov Cath scores again off a set piece…another header, 3-0 Cov Cath not looking good for Conner at this point. Aiden Terry gets the ball, makes a cut and buries the ball in the left corner to end the first half 3-1 Cov Cath. Start of the second Conner comes out pressuring and gets a goal by Brayden Cranfield to make it 3-2. Cov Cath comes down and scores one off a volley and now lead 4-2. Conner with a heads up play at kick off drops the ball back and Brayden Cranfield drops it over the keepers head to make it 4-3 now. Then with around 9 minutes left Cov Cath gets a PK to sneak in past the Conner keeper and goes on to win 5-3. Cov Cath will play Ryle Saturday morning. The Colonels did a nice job this time controlling the middle. Conner struggled with their back line and I feel not having played in two weeks didn’t help them either as the touches were off tonight. Congratulations to Cov Cath and good luck vs Ryle.

Conner travels to Boone County to get the district win tonight. Mason Arevalo with the hat trick. The 3 other goals were scored by Marquis, Marculeanu, and Harmon. Conner plays Simon Kenton on Tuesday and then another district game in Hebron vs Cooper on Thursday.

Not much to report on this one. Ethan Sands gets a brace, Daniel Campbell takes a direct kick just outside the box on the left side and drops it in. Colin Davey and Brayden Thornton score their first varsity goal. Other goals by Marquis, Noble, and Albrinck.

Great game tonight. Conner starts the game with the sun on their backs but couldn’t manage to get a shot off. Newport Central Catholic didn’t have many shots in the 1st. Both teams close the 1st half 0-0. Newport Central Catholic starts the second half attacking the right side, smart move cause the sun was right in Trey Wagner’s eyes on that side when they were attacking. About 10 minutes in Newport Central Catholic gets a cross from the right corner on the ground and poke it in. Conner would answer 10 minutes later with a header by Noah Walker from a corner kick. Conner had a few more chances but ends the game 1-1 tie. This was my first time seeing NCC this year and they have a nice team. I think they will give their rivals in Highlands a tough game. NCC has good size, play solid defense, and have nice midfield play.

Conner goes into Lawrenceburg and gets the win. Daniel Campbell scores off a direct kick from Cosmin Marculeanu in the first half. Lawrenceburg had a chance early to take the lead but Trey Wagner makes a nice save and Owen King finishes the game to secure the shutout for the Cougars. The Tigers have a nice team and have some size, but had a hard time getting shots. Conner moves to 6-2-0 on the season

Mason Ginn, Grady Noble, Benji Araujo, Kellen Faulkner, Collin Davey.

Should be a good showcase for young soccer talent in Northern Kentucky.

Should be a good showcase for young soccer talent in Northern Kentucky.

4 of the 5 freshman that were brought up this game played. Conner had Dyer out and Butcher went out too with an injury. One of the freshman finished on defense when all heck was being let loose by Highlands to score the tying goal with less than 2 minutes left. The freshman/sophomore class could be a really good one for Conner. Sophomore Trey Wagner finished the game in goal vs Highlands.

The Cougars are missing a few starters due to injuries from the Varsity squad, Dyer/Butcher on offense and Toler/Wood/Davey on the defensive side. The Cougars had a number of shots on goal, but a big shout out to the Camel keeper (Jenkins a sophomore) who had some fantastic saves. Owen King saved a PK in the first half and Trey Wagner sealed the shutout in the second half. Conner has been playing some of their freshman class up, 4 of the 5 freshman played and held their own against the upper classman with Grady Noble (freshman) having a chance to score twice but denied by the keeper. As mentioned above Conner goes to Lawrenceburg IN on Tuesday but perhaps the game of the day for Thursday 9/1 is when Conner visits NCC on the grass of Morscher Field. Then Conner travels to play Scott in Taylor Mill on Saturday.

I think Highlands went to their executive buses they brought from Ft Thomas at half time. Not being a football guy, I thought Highlands had some big plays. #14 was a tough cover for Conner all night, I think I would have thrown the ball to him all game. Conner had some big plays, some big penalties, and some good option runs. Hicks started the game with a turnover and ended it with an interception, he lead the Cougars. Good luck to my Cougars next week.

Final per twitter...GRC 38 Conner 34. GRC scores with 2 seconds left.

If I’m reading the right twitter update, 34-31 Conner. Not sure how much time is left.

Colin Noble with the hat trick and Logan Drew with the opening goal. Very physical game with multiple yellow cards on both sides. Conner scores on a free kick, nice ball in front of the goal and Logan Drew put it in the back of the net. A player for Ryle shortly after the opening Conner goal received his second yellow card for running into the Conner goalie. Second half was all Colin Noble, scores 3 goals and is named 33rd District Tournament MVP. Great win for Conner to win the district on their home field. Nice student section there for the Cougars.

Play the games at Boone County Pee-Wee field. Central location, no home field advantage. If it rains Sunday they won’t play I bet.

91 grad of Conner Michelle Gambrel is the new Conner women’s coach. Announced on Twitter.

Former 8th grade coach from Conner Middle is interested. He was also a former Raider.

This class of 2019 didn’t have the big names like some of the other classes had before and the younger classes coming up. This class did have a bunch of kids who had good fundamentals and played good basketball. Here is a look back 3 years ago of the all tournament team. It will be interesting to see which of these young men get named to the all tournament team tonight at NKU. Baugh Becker Coldiron Fleek Ginn Houston Karim Macke Miles Ollier Pardee Schilling Smith I apologize for any names left off, these are the names I found on the thread from 3 years ago. If someone is missing please add them.

Congratulations to Newport, they shot very well. White had a nice game, Harding had a monster game, and Miller with a very quite 21. I’d like to see Newport get past Cov Cath and get the chance to go to Rupp. Their seniors have worked hard. Nice game by senior Brenden Ginn, the young man has been a class act and true leader of the Cougars. Looking for big things from Spencer Couzins and Jalen Scott next year.

Both are good players, the “big 3” is not a disparaging remark...Newport is a good team, but to have 3 players averaging over 14 points a game is a “big” plus. Almost game time, really doesn’t matter what us adults/parents think...the young men playing will determine the outcome of this game in a little more than 2hrs.

After watching the Beechwood/Dixie game it will be interesting to see if Conner can spread the floor like Beechwood did. Conner has 4 shooters who can hit 3’s, S. Couzins, Scott, Ginn, and Osterbur. There is a seldom used sophomore (not sure why the kid can play) Saffell who can shoot from deep also. If Hicks gets 6-7 assist tonight I like Cougars chances of winning. Hicks has really been stepping up the last 3 weeks of the season. This game might be decided by who is hitting from behind the 3 point line, as the 1st matchup was a battle in the paint.

Coopers seniors step up and get the win. 55-46 Cooper. It will be interesting to see who Sullivan puts on Sisson, is it Spencer or Houston?

I like this matchup for Conner. I look for the big 3 of Newport to get frustrated and get away from Coach Snapp’s game plan and try to do too much 1 v 1. Conner by 6...61-55.