Henderson County’s shutout string came to an end, but the five-time defending champion Lady Colonels are back in the 2nd Region title match.
Henderson (8-1) used a late penalty kick to finish off University Heights Academy 4-2 in semifinal action Wednesday night in Henderson.
UHA (8-3-2) gave the Lady Colonels a spirited contest, but ultimately Henderson stopped the Lady Blazers in the regional tournament for the sixth straight year.
Henderson had won its last seven matches by shutout — and hadn’t surrendered a goal to a Kentucky team all season. The Lady Colonels’ only goals allowed were in a 3-0 loss at Castle in Newburgh, Ind., in the season opener.
But UHA changed that in the 23rd minute, with Kate Cansler doing the honors for the Lady Blazers. That goal came on a ball sent in by Emma Perry following a free kick by Grace Pape.
Henderson was quick to counter, though.
Caitlyn Honeycutt scored in the 24th minute following a free kick from Ilana Hall.
It was the first of three goals in the next 12 minutes for the Lady Colonels.
Nadia Gilbert beat the goalkeeper to a ball in the box in the 33rd minute and scored to put Henderson up 2-1.
Careese Toombs found the net in the 35th minute with help from Cecilia Palummo to give the Lady Colonels a 3-1 lead at halftime.
UHA got right back in it early in the second half.
Pape hammered home a direct kick from about 30 yards out to cut the Henderson advantage to 3-2.
The contest remained tight until Palummo converted a penalty kick in the 76th minute to virtually put the game away for the Lady Colonels.
Henderson held a 17-10 advantage in shots in the contest.
Ashby Greenwell made three saves for the Lady Colonels.
MaKenzie Young had seven stops for the Lady Blazers.
Henderson County will take on Madisonville-North Hopkins (8-6-2) in Thursday’s regional championship match.
The Lady Maroons defeated Trigg County 4-1 in Wednesday’s late semifinal game.
