groinpull

Dominating defensive performance by CCH I thought. Ryle had few, if any, hard shots on goal. Most of their chances came via free kick or throw in. Only Will Bedel kept this game from being 3-0. Great game by him tonight. CCH score started via free kick played out wide to Schutt who played a perfect cross to Stava who finished with a great header. CCH wins their second 9th region title in a row.

Game is Tuesday at Dixie actually.

9th Region Championship on the line in a rematch of last year's game that was won by CCH in PK's on their way to the state title. Ryle won the first matchup earlier this year by a score of 2-0. I like the Colonels chances in this game. I think they have a few seniors on the team eager to make their mark and will come in fired up. 2-1 CCH CovCath Internet Radio will stream the game live. Covington Catholic High School

I didn't say it would be easy, just that it's possible. CCH and Ryle are very strong defensively and that goes a long way this time of year.

I think either team beats Mercer in the first round and then anything can happen vs the Region 7 winner. Trinity was favored last year and CCH, while winning only 2-1, was clearly the better team. Only a late Trinity goal got them on the board. Could happen again this year with either Ryle or CCH. I'm sure Mercer has a good team but both Ryle and CCH have played some good teams to prepare them for that.

I'd say that both Ryle and CovCath are two of the top 10 teams remaining and whoever wins the 9th region I think has a chance to do some damage in the state tournament.

Obviously they know who the knowledgeable people are on the BGP soccer threads.

I'd say let's get through regionals and we'll have a better idea of who the best teams remaining with a shot. I'd still say the 7th region winner is the favorite.

Well, at least I have reached cult hero status with the Cru fans. I have that going for me.

LOL, I don't think they were looking for me but they did come over several times and let's be honest, they were looking to start some trouble w/ the CCH students that were at the game. Glad CCH actually had some faculty there to keep it under control. Maybe St. Henry should think about the same thing. Regarding the players, you noted Schutt, Stava and Vogt, three of CCH's best players. I agree they all had good games and yes, Stava should have finished that chance that he had in the second half and normally he does.

I thought it was a clean, hard tackle from the side and not the back. I wouldn't have called it. He took way too long to play that ball and gave the defender a chance to tackle it away. With that said, those officials really struggled overall IMO.

I thought St. Henry controlled possession for long periods of this game as CCH reverted to some bad form at times with the direct, long ball approach. With the exception of Schutt, the CCH midfield was badly outplayed in my opinion. The difference in the game was at the ends of the fields. The CCH defense was very strong as expected and really shut St. Henry down in the final third other than that late run by Sanders. Incredibly, up 2-0, CCH had defenders pushing forward with less than 5 minutes remaining, allowing the quick counter by St. Henry. Deja vu from 2014. How about some tactical and game awareness? On the offensive end, CCH had finishers and St. Henry did not. I'd say 5-6 good chances for CCH that netted two goals. The Lamb to Stava goal was a very good one and shows why on a large field like Ryle's, Lamb needs to get out wide more and drive the endline. Overall, the best team won last night. Ended a bit ugly as #8 for St. Henry blew a gasket at the end and received a straight red card I believe.

Final.

2-0 CCH

St. Henry playing better but CCH up at half 1-0. Stegman scores off a corner.

I think Highlands is a bit overrated and will struggle to beat Ryle on their home field. Mental edge also to Ryle given they just lost a close game to Highlands. I will say 2-0 Ryle.

That #7 ranking looks pretty shaky to me.

Big field at Ryle and I think both teams will struggle to score in this game. St. Henry facing a tough CCH defense and the large field I think works against them. CCH has struggled to score consistently all year against good and even mediocre defenses (see NCC game on Tuesday) I think this game ends 1-1 and goes to PK's, where CCH wins it.

Big surprise to me.

I'm guessing Trinity has a fairly easy time in this one by a score of 3-0

Congrats to Adam Snow on a great high school career. Good luck at the next level.

Correct, playing defensively when it's 0-0 is one thing but then when you go down 1-0 most coaches would press some numbers forward. CCH scores very early in the second half to go up 2-0 and at that point it looked like the NCC staff got even more defensive and were trying to avoid the blowout. I don't believe NCC had a shot on goal in the second half. Pretty boring game actually but CCH did what they needed to do and moved on. Tough out? Not really.

Final from Dixie. CovCath needs to do better to move on the next game. Odd strategy by NCC to continue in a defensive posture late into the game down by 2 goals.

2-0. Lamb via Stava cross

CCH can't finish. Very sloppy in the final third. NCC has a couple shots on goal via free kick but otherwise it's all CCH but they are letting NCC hang around. Grosser has some nice stops too. CCH offsides a half dozen times in the first half.