rjal

Even if you only took the top two teams this game would’ve happened. The other team would’ve just been Lloyd because they won the tiebreaker. I doubt the final result would’ve been much different.

This Beechwood team is exceptionally good even for Beechwood. The only non running clock games they have had this year were against larger teams. I think we counted 21 senior banners. Not sure how many are true seniors and how many are fifth years but none the less that is a boatload for a 2a team. Are too many teams in the playoffs maybe, probably, but this district has a three way tie for second. None of the teams gave beechwood a game this year. It has nothing to do with too many teams. Good luck to the Tigers. I don’t think I saw any significant injuries for either team so that is the best outcome in a game like this. i can’t really say that HC used any more time on offense than usual. They ran the ball as they do a lot and struggled with their passing which also has been happening a lot.

In the 9th Holy Cross and NCC should be two of the favorites. St. Henry has a big lineup coming back but I don't know much about them as far as guards. From preseason Cats Pause rankings Beechwood is also up there.

Holy Cross will be at North College Hill Nov 13 and Williamstown Nov 20.

I noticed this too. Some have 2-3 times as many assists as solos.

Correct. He has been a nice addition

Holy Cross Covington has a couple of nice linebackers SR Bradyn Niemeyer 6-0 175 86 tackles 20 TFL and 12 sacks SR Cade Lehmkuhl 6-3 200 86 tackles 15 TFL

Congrats to the Crusaders.

I would add that the Indians also had something like 7 turnovers in the first game. Tonight they did not turn the ball over a single time. That made huge difference. Shout out to kicker Ian McDonald who hit all five PATs including a 35 years attempt after a penalty on the Indians. It was nice to see the boys have a little success. It was the first time any of the players have won a playoff game. Their last one was five years ago when they made their state semifinal run.

As for Holy Cross they played well against Newport. Newport was missing their third leading wide receiver. The lineman that may be considered their best player did indeed play against HC. He just wore a different jersey number. Against Lloyd, HC dropped passes and got behind. When they get behind they do even worse. They could not stop Lloyd’s running game. One bright spot for HC was a nice game by number 24 who lead the team in reception yardage with 49 yards on four receptions and led the defense with 8 solo tackles and 7 assists. The bigger question is how did Lloyd lose to Newport. @juggman any thoughts

If Holy Cross can focus and not make stupid mistakes I think they have a chance to win and get the second seed. They just need to play football and not shoot themselves in the foot with penalties.

Holy Cross wins the tie breaker

My take on it being a fellow small school person is that in all reality the chances of running the gauntlet in the 9th region tournament is not great for most schools. They were not going to play NDA again until the finals if they were to make it. Play for the present. If you think you have a plan that may take down the number two team in the county and generate excitement for you program and bring some big time momentum into the regional tournament, go for it. Think about the confidence these girls have now. They left it all on the field. My observation from watching the game as much as I could while working was that Beechwood played inspired and honestly outworked NDA. They didn’t go into the game saying ok we are probably going to lose but it doesn’t matter we still get the runner up trophy and will get to play in regionals. They gave it their all and I honestly think NDA will be a better team because of this game. They may be the much deeper, more talented team but sometimes the unlikely happens. Is they know what could happen if they are outworked. This is why I generally UK basketball losing in the SEC finals before the NCAA. It is generally the kick they need. This of course is not meant to be negative towards NDA. They are a great team and it is hard to be “up” for every game. They are everyone else’s super bowl.

Both teams made number one, Beechwood missed hitting the crossbar on number two and NDA went in. Both were stopped in round three. Round four beechwood hit and NDA missed. Round five Beechwood stopped and NDA hit.

Agree with this. It is one thing to pack it in and hope for PKs. It is another to score with a pack it in defense and have the lead. If I remember it right Beechwood hit two of the PKs, one went just off the crossbar and the other two were stopped. If that second PK was six inches lower, it goes to sudden death PKs. For what its worth Beechwood was also missing one of their starting defenders. Obviously you can say would have, could have all day, but that was a great game by Beechwood and a great atmosphere with the packed stands.

NDA wins on the fifth PK.

1-1 end of double overtime. We are going to PKs

0-0 at the half Beechwood strikes first leading 1-0 then NDA tied it up a few minutes later. Regulation ends at 1-1. After the first overtime game tied 1-1. It is getting dark at Eva G. This is one heck of a game.

The Beechwood Holy Cross game was a much better game than the first time around. 0-0 end of the first half then Beechwood scored 15 minutes into the second half. Holy Cross tied it up with a long shot by Addison Saalfeld then the defensive battle continued. As the rain started and the sun set regulation ended in a tie, then the first OT ended in a tie. Beechwood put the ball on the back of the net about midway through the second OT. As much as I would have loved to see the Indians win, I am glad it didn’t come down to shooting PKs in the dark in the rain on a muddy grass field.

Agreed very physical game. I was surprised they blew the whistle so quick on the handball. Kaia is an amazing player. My daughter said “that double scissors she pulled on me was beautiful. I didn’t have a chance”. Lol. Good luck at Xavier.

The Ryle Holy Cross game ended up being a nail biter. Ryle went out to a 2-0 lead mid to end of the first half with two goals by Griffin one on a nice drive and the other on a free kick. Holy Cross junior RyLee Veneman scored on a beautifully placed PK to bring the score to 2-1 at the half. Veneman tied it up with a score midway through the second half. Ryle took back the lead with maybe ten minutes later with a long kick by Griffin. Lots of penalties and three yellow cards given out. The last yellow card was on the Ryle goalie as she came far out of the box and ran fouled Ivy Hoffman who had a breakaway and only the goalie to beat. There was some controversy as to the goalie being the last defender and shouldn’t have been a red card. It went so quick I’m not sure. Holy Cross had several free kicks in the last few minutes of the game but was unable to convert into goals It was a beautiful night for soccer and a great game.

It's nice to be able to have discussion about girls sports. The Indians did look pretty good this summer. Hanna is a great addition. In addition to Hanna, Arlinghaus, Hunt and Whimzie you have a few juniors and some nice underclassman that should be battling for varsity time. I am looking forward to seeing how they do.

I would say it depends what your end game is. Is trying to win a high school championship important? Is making memories with the kids you see in the hallways everyday important? Is the goal to just play college soccer? The vast majority of high school soccer players even club players will not play D1 or D2 college soccer, much less get any meaningful scholarship money for soccer. There are approx 3955 full scholarship equivalents in D1 and D2. Divide that by four years there are 1000 scholarships nationwide to be split over probably 3-4,000 soccer players each year. There are 115 clubs with teams in the ECNL this season. At 17 kids per team assuming every club has a team at each age group that is just shy of 2000 kids. So making the assumption these kids are the best of the best, most of the scholarships are taken. Is high school soccer where a club player is going to improve skills? No. Is it where they will be a part of their school and community and have memories for the rest of their life sure. For the top .1% or those that are injury prone should they skip maybe, probably. How many on The USWNT skipped high school soccer? I would say very few. It just boils down to a personal decision based on that student athletes preferences and goals. I don't think there is any one correct choice.

Hard fought battle by both teams, with great plays by both sides. The Indians were led by Ivy Hoffman with two goals and Jenna Saalfeld with one. I believe Felix had both the St Henry goals on senior night, but please correct me if I am wrong.

So the Lady Indians have been stepping up their game the last week. After losing a close one against Campbell they won two over the weekend in convincing fashion clearing the bench both games. Obviously it was weaker competition but they did their job and took care of business. The defense has looked like a different team since half time of the Beechwood game and have been on a role since then. Before the Cooper game I would have said I thought we would put up a good fight but would probably lose a close one like when we played at soccerama. The girls played well today and tied Cooper 1-1. The defense held Alexander in check and actually controlled the ball most of the first half.