Covington Catholic secured a spot in the state championship after a thrilling penalty shootout victory against South Oldham, concluding with a score of 4-3. The match, part of the KHSAA Boys’ Soccer State Tournament semifinal held at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School on March 12, 2024, ended in a stalemate of 0-0 after regulation and two overtime periods.
The Colonels, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure, have now converted three consecutive deadlocks into victories through penalty kicks this postseason. After a tough battle on the field, junior goalkeeper Booker Gifford played a pivotal role, making crucial saves that helped secure the win. “It’s just like everything else in life; the more you practice it, the better you get,” Gifford said, acknowledging the benefit of their experience in high-pressure situations.
The victory marks Covington Catholic’s fourth trip to the state championship in the last decade, under the guidance of head coach Jeremy Robertson. The team remains undefeated in semifinal appearances during his tenure. Robertson praised his players for their resilience, stating, “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but these kids are showing a lot of grit.”
The match was a physical encounter, with a total of 24 fouls committed by both teams. Covington Catholic’s confidence was put to the test in the shootout after Cole Bishop had his second-round shot saved, putting them behind 2-1 early on. Nevertheless, Gifford’s performance shone through as he denied South Oldham’s Judah Walker in the fourth round, setting the stage for Tanner Robertson to score the decisive penalty.
As Quin Brice attempted to equalize for South Oldham in the final round, his shot sailed over the crossbar, leading to jubilant celebrations from the Colonels. The successful penalty kicks were scored by Cole Spaulding, Charlie Baaker, Leo Dyas, and Tanner Robertson.
Reflecting on the pressure of being the first to take a penalty, Spaulding noted, “I’ve always decided to go first. If you make it, it helps get everyone’s spirits up.” The match preceding the shootout was tightly contested, with both teams creating scoring opportunities yet failing to break the deadlock.
South Oldham dominated possession early in the match, forcing Gifford into key saves. Covington Catholic nearly scored multiple times, including a shot from Baaker that struck the crossbar. As the clock ticked down, neither team could find the back of the net, leading to the shootout where the Colonels excelled.
With this win, Covington Catholic improves to 4-0 in state semifinals under Robertson. They are set to compete for the championship title on March 15, 2024, at Lexington SC Stadium. They will face the winner of the second semifinal between St. Xavier and Bryan Station. “We’re excited about that,” Robertson expressed, emphasizing the hard work and determination of his team.
Gifford ended the match with six saves, while the Dragons’ goalkeeper, Ethan Briscoe, recorded three saves, concluding South Oldham’s season with a record of 17-3-1. The Colonels are aiming to capture their second state championship under Robertson, having last achieved this feat in 2015.
