OutOfNeccessity

I've seen posts on SM with several NKY soccer players committing at various programs. Its interesting to talk to HS coaches from around NKY. The schools where coaches and ADs (and the administrations) are committed to player & team development tend to have kids signing. Ryle & Highlands are examples of that. Sadly, many HS programs are only interested in how their current varsity program will perform this year. CovCath & Cooper come to mind. I've talked to parents who are spending money to get their kid on a KH academy, RL or NL team because they know that is the only way their child will have any chance to play post HS soccer. These same parents are also looking at the available schools and are basing the decision as to where their son goes based on what they're told about a particular schools program by families at showcases. I've even talked to one family who refuses to let their son (RL) play in HS because its actually counter productive. Sadly, there will be very little change in these programs until soccer fills the bleachers at these HS.

Final Ryle 2 - Highlands 0

I have to say that Highlands did not give up. Going out of the first half, you could see the desperation in their final few minutes. Absolute credit to their Coach for making the adjustments needed. As for CCH, they looked to be the better team on the field for about 60 minutes. I am baffled by the fact that their coaching staff did not adjust at all. Other than two late substitutions their formation remained rigid, leaving their midfield completely open to an attacking Highlands assault. As Highlands was mounting a counter offensive steadily closing the gap, CCH maintained 5 men up front where their wingers had to cover areas the midfield was absent from. At the end of the day, what matters is how many balls end up in the back of the net. While none of them were pretty, (and I question the second goal after seeing the video on Twitter) they counted and the Birds move ahead. Cudos to both teams on an exciting match. And credit due to the Highlands coaching staff for reading the game, making adjustments and inspiring his team. More of that is needed in this region.

I completely concur with your first prediction. Having seen both teams play several times throughout the season, NCC is without a doubt the favorite. NCC 2 Dixie Heights 0 Ryle -vs- Highlands I believe the margin of victory will be greater. Again, having seen both teams play Ryle has every advantage. Having balls bounce off of everything and everyone in front of goal and finding their way into goal is definitely not a winning formula. Ryle 4 Highlands 1. I have Ryle winning Region 9, probably winning the 1st round of the semi final against region 10 winner but losing shortly there after to either St.X or Daviess.

Absolutely correct. I totally missed it.

Question. For the quarterfinal site selection says quarter final site # 1 2 3 4. Not exactly sure what that means. Any suggestion

Thank you sir. I just finished looking at the specific procedure as outlined on the KHSSA site under regional instructions. It took following a few different links, but it's there.

Does anyone have insight as to the process? By RPI they have # 1 -v- 8 | 2 -v- 3. | 4 - v- 5 | 6 - v- 7 There is little point to a regular season when standings only determine what jersey you’re wearing. Someone please enlighten me.

According to scorecard, https://scoreboard.12dt.com/scoreboard/khsaa/kybsc23/?I'd=89985 CCH hasn't played Holmes in a regular season match since 2015. In all competitions since 2000, they are undefeated and the goal differential between them is 206. They have only played Holy Cross once in the regular season since 2000. In all competitions starting in 2000, they are undefeated and the goal differential between them is 75. The record for Beechwood only goes back to 2016 with 3 regular season matches. Across all competitions, they are undefeated and the goal differential is 45. I'm not sure but there may be something in the KHSSA rules that allow for a team that has gone undefeated with a goal differential of 326 in their district from 2000 to play more games outside of their district. To be honest, CCHs district record is shocking to me.

Final from Park Hills.

That was very surprising. Does anyone know how many games Ryle has been awarded a PK? It seems abnormally high?

Well, the CCH varsity has seemed to have found it's mojo. This game was sloppy for the first 10 minutes as each side was getting a feel for each other. But after that 10 minutes, CovCath had NCC's number. They played a very fundamental game. Their ability to win the ball off of the goal kick started it. Directed headers to awaiting players. Then crisp passes in all directions. They were patient with the ball but when it left the midfield, there were 3-4 players in blue crashing the box. Overall, this is the team that their fans have been waiting to see. NCC... I haven't seen them play this year. I know they started off strong, and are a good team. Maybe tonight just wasn't their night. I think they had 4 shots on goal, with one of them having a chance. I heard one CCH dad say "This is the signature win that they needed at home." seasons about done. Districts shouldn't be too surprising, but regionals is going to be very interesting.

Didn't CCH hold them to 1-0? And if memory serves me, they held Trinity (#10) and St. X (#7) to the same. I've always said that HS Soccer is 75 minutes of play and 5 minutes of 10 second moments that decide the match. They both play tomorrow, but against much different competition. (CCH -vs- NCC) and (Ryle -vs- Campbell Co) That will finish Ryles regular season, while CCH plays Beechwood on the 30th. Time will tell, but this season hasn't disappointed thus far.

All wonderful solutions to an interesting problem. That is until your team comes out on the losing end. Draws are a part of the game during the regular season. Leave them Extra time should be the standard in all non regular season matches. (no matter the reason) Two equal periods. PKs should only be used as a last resort. .02

We all know that soccer is 80 minutes of 3 second moments. Prognosticating is pointless when you realize that. Last night CCH just had many more moments. This has been a crazy regular season thus far. A lot of assumptions and expectations have been proven either highly exaggerated or outright wrong. That's the fun of it to me now that I no longer have a player in HS. The story lines are sometimes more impressive than the games. Goliath expects David, and gets a stone to the dome. Post season is going to be a blast.