In a thrilling semifinal match of the KHSAA Boys’ Soccer State Tournament, the Covington Catholic Colonels advanced to the state championship after a tense penalty shootout against South Oldham. The game, held at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, ended 0-0 after regulation time and two overtime periods, with the Colonels emerging victorious 4-3 in the shootout.
The Colonels displayed remarkable composure, having faced similar situations earlier in the postseason. “It’s just like every other thing in life, the more you practice it, the better you get at it,” said Booker Gifford, the Colonels’ goalkeeper. His experience in penalty shootouts has proven invaluable, and it showed as he played a crucial role in the team’s latest success.
This win marks Covington Catholic’s fourth appearance in the state championship in the last decade, and they remain undefeated in semifinal matches under head coach Jeremy Robertson. The high-stakes match featured a total of 24 fouls, indicative of the physical nature of the contest. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but these kids are showing a lot of grit,” Robertson noted. He credited the team’s athleticism and strong defense for preserving the shutout.
The penalty shootout brought its own set of challenges. After Cole Bishop had his shot saved in the second round, the Colonels found themselves trailing 2-1. However, Gifford stepped up once again, blocking a crucial attempt from South Oldham’s Judah Walker in the fourth round. This allowed Tanner Robertson to convert the decisive penalty, putting CovCath ahead 4-3. When South Oldham’s Quin Brice missed his shot high, the Colonels celebrated their hard-fought victory.
The goals in the shootout came from Cole Spaulding, Charlie Baaker, Leo Dyas, and Tanner Robertson. Spaulding, who prefers to take the first shot, explained his approach: “If you make it, it helps get everyone’s spirits up.”
Throughout the match, both teams exchanged opportunities, with South Oldham initially controlling possession. Gifford made a critical save midway through the first half, while Bishop nearly broke the deadlock in the closing moments of the first half, only to be thwarted by South Oldham’s goalkeeper, Ethan Briscoe. After halftime, CovCath hit the crossbar with a shot from Baaker, and a corner kick from South Oldham was cleared just in time by a Colonels defender.
The match concluded with neither team able to find the back of the net after 80 minutes of play and two overtime periods, leading to the penalty shootout. “I know we got the best goalie in the state back there, so I knew we were going to win,” Spaulding stated confidently.
Covington Catholic improves to 4-0 in state semifinals under Robertson and aims to secure their second state championship, having last won the title in 2015. The Colonels will compete for the championship on March 16, 2024, at Lexington SC Stadium, facing the winner of the semifinal match between St. Xavier and Bryan Station.
With Gifford recording six saves in the semifinal, the Colonels demonstrated both skill and determination throughout the match. South Oldham concludes their season with a record of 17-3-1. Coach Robertson expressed his pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing their resilience and attention to detail, as they now prepare for the championship match.
