Hopkinsville had to overcome their first postseason deficit and a torrential first half thunderstorm before falling to Highlands 2-1 in the KHSAA State Soccer Semifinals sponsored by the US Army ROTC Thursday in Lexington.
Hopkinsville’s run to the semifinals was the longest in school history and sees their season end with a record of 19-7-2.
Both teams were scoreless midway through the first half when Ryan Roussel had a free kick in front of the box carom off the cross bar. On Highlands’ next possession, Max Ferris found Luke Schweltzer in front of the net, and his one-touch gave Highlands a 1-0 lead. It was the first time Hoptown trailed at any point in the postseason.
The rain got heavier and with 13 minutes left in the half, high winds and heavy rains caused the officials to send the teams off the field. Neither team scored once play resumed, with Highlands outshooting Hopkinsville 12-5 in the first half.
Highlands got the ball to start the second half and with a strong wind at his back, Carter Holmes sent a booming shot on the opening kick high and into the back of the net to stun the Tigers and give the Bluebirds a 2-0 lead. Holmes said afterward that the shot was something he and the team began practicing in the region tournament.
Just three minutes later, Zach Moore sent a free kick into the goal that bounced off Highlands goalie Will Burnham. Jose Favela was in front of the goal and found the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. The goal was only the 12th of the year allowed by Highlands.
Highlands continued to apply pressure toward the Hopkinsville goal, send 23 shots toward Tiger goalie Xavier Bussell. For the match, Highlands outshot Hoptown 35-10, with shots on goal favoring the Bluebirds 10-3. Bussell made seven saves in goal.
With Highlands dropping four and five defenders back in the final 15 minutes of the half, Hoptown had a hard time getting good looks at the goal although a pair of shots late missed their marks.
After the game, Bussell and Roussel were named to the All-Tournament Team. The contest was played before 1,219 fans at Frederick Douglass High School in Lexington.
Highlands (23-1-4) has not lost to a team from Kentucky this season and will play two-time defending state champion St. Xavier Saturday night. St. X beat Henry Clay 1-0 in the other semifinal.
