The Covington Catholic Colonels secured a place in the state championship after a thrilling penalty shootout victory against South Oldham on March 12, 2024. The match, part of the KHSAA Boys’ Soccer State Tournament semifinals at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, concluded with a score of 0-0 after regulation and two overtime periods. The Colonels triumphed 4-3 in the shootout, marking their third consecutive playoff win decided by penalties.
Booker Gifford, the Colonels’ goalkeeper, played a pivotal role in the victory. “It’s just like every other thing in life, the more you practice it, the better you get at it,” Gifford stated. His experience in high-pressure situations has been instrumental for the team throughout the postseason. This victory propels Covington Catholic to Saturday’s state championship match, their fourth appearance in the final in the last decade, and maintains their unbeaten record in semifinals under head coach Jeremy Robertson.
The semifinal match proved to be a physical contest, with a total of 24 fouls committed by both teams. “It wasn’t the prettiest game, but these kids are showing a lot of grit,” Robertson commented. “Our athletic ability kept us in it, and the defense did an awesome job preserving the shutout.”
During the penalty shootout, the Colonels faced an early challenge. After Cole Bishop’s shot was saved, CovCath fell behind 2-1 after two rounds. However, Gifford’s skill shone through as he denied South Oldham’s Judah Walker during the fourth round, allowing Tanner Robertson to convert the decisive penalty kick, putting the Colonels ahead 4-3. The tension peaked when Quin Brice’s attempt to equalize for South Oldham soared over the crossbar, triggering jubilant celebrations from the CovCath players.
With the shootout goals scored by Cole Spaulding, Charlie Baaker, Leo Dyas, and Tanner Robertson, Covington Catholic demonstrated their composure under pressure. Spaulding, who took the first penalty, expressed his strategy: “If you make it, it helps get everyone’s spirits up.”
The match prior to the shootout was tightly contested, reflecting the scoreline. South Oldham dominated possession early on, forcing Gifford into a crucial save midway through the first half. Bishop nearly broke the deadlock late in the first half, but his attempt was thwarted by South Oldham goalkeeper Ethan Briscoe. Both teams exchanged dangerous chances in the second half, with CovCath hitting the crossbar and South Oldham narrowly missing a goal from a corner kick.
As the 80 minutes and two overtime periods concluded without a score, the Colonels entered the penalty shootout with confidence. “I know we got the best goalie in the state back there, so I knew we were going to win,” Spaulding remarked.
With this win, Covington Catholic improved to 4-0 in state semifinals under Robertson’s leadership. They will aim to capture their second state championship title, their last win occurring in 2015. The championship match is scheduled for Saturday at 16:00 at Lexington SC Stadium, where they will face the winner of the matchup between St. Xavier and Bryan Station.
Gifford finished the match with six saves, while Briscoe recorded three for South Oldham, whose season concludes with a record of 17 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw. The Colonels’ remarkable journey continues as they prepare for the title match, fueled by their determination and the support of their community.
