3 observations: How a freshman lifted Assumption soccer to first regional title since 2012
After knocking out Seventh Region kingpin Sacred Heart Academy on Thursday, Assumption High School soccer coach Tammy Hailey was worried about an emotional letdown in Saturday’s regional championship match.
So she gathered her team Saturday morning and delivered a message:
“Listen, that’s done, that’s over with,” Hailey said. “We have to focus on today. … We can’t come out there on this big high and think we’re going to win it. We have to produce.”
The Rockets got the message, controlling the match from the outset and posting a 4-1 victory over Manual in the Seventh Region final at Assumption Green.
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Sacred Heart had won nine straight regional titles before falling to Assumption 1-0 in Thursday’s regional semifinal. Saturday’s victory gave Assumption its first regional crown since 2012.
“This is what I’ve fought for the last six years, what we’ve built this culture for, what we’ve built this program for,” Hailey said. “I’m just so glad these girls put it together. They’re a great group. This team has bonded more than I’ve ever seen. They care about each other. … You go from No. 1 to No. 24 on this team, they’re all cheering for each other. The chemistry has been amazing.”
Assumption (18-4-3) — No. 5 in the state in the Maher Rankings — will face No. 1 South Oldham (19-2) in the first round of the KHSAA state tournament. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday at Carroll County High School.
No. 14 Manual finished 12-9-2.
Here are three observations from the match:
Freshman delivers for Rockets
Freshman reserve Ella Raider had scored just three goals this season but delivered Saturday in one of the biggest matches of the season.
Raider knocked in a cross from junior Josie McRae to give Assumption a 1-0 lead in the 25th minute. Less than six minutes later, Raider scored on another assist from McRae for a 2-0 advantage.
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“I was really excited to get in and do what I do,” Raider said. “It’s hard (being a reserve). You just have to power through and play your game.”
Hailey said she wasn’t surprised to see Raider prosper.
“She’s composed, she’s smooth in everything she does,” Hailey said. “I’m so proud of her as a freshman.”
Chances few for Manual
Manual struggled to create scoring opportunities and was outshot 23-7. Second-half goals by Riley O’Bryan and Lilly Bovine gave the Rockets a 4-0 lead.
Manual avoided the shutout on Gianna Zamborini’s goal in the 79th minute.
Crimsons coach Diego Romero said his team couldn’t match Assumption’s depth.
“They move the ball well, and they attack in numbers,” Romero said. “They’re a well-rounded team, don’t have any real weaknesses anywhere you can find.”
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Manual’s starting 11 included three sophomores and two freshmen.
“We progressed,” Romero said. “We have a lot of freshmen starting … and we gelled. We’re still young, so hopefully next year we can make another run at it.”
South Oldham up next
Assumption’s victory set up a showdown with a South Oldham team that was the state runner-up last year.
While South Oldham is the host, the game has been moved to Carroll County because South Oldham’s field doesn’t meet Kentucky High School Athletic Association requirements for state tournament play.
Assumption beat South Oldham 3-2 on Sept. 29 behind a pair of goals from O’Bryan.
“It’s going to be a dog fight, obviously,” Hailey said. “The good news is that we’ve played them and know what we’re up against. I think we’re ready for it.”
Raider agreed.
“They’re No. 1, and we beat them,” she said. “We definitely gained a lot of confidence from that game.”
Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; jfrakes@courier-journal.com; Twitter: @kyhighs.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: KHSAA soccer: Assumption tops Manual for Seventh Region title
