Soccer

Following a slew of all-region selections, it was no surprise that Jessamine County had five players named to the girls' soccer all-state team. West Jessamine senior Rebekah Hulsing was named first-team all-state. She recorded 12 complete-game shutouts in 23 games and allowed 16 goals all year. Hulsing even recorded a goal against East Jessamine during the regular season. West senior Maddye Hahn was named second-team all-state. Hahn was a key midfielder for the Lady Colts all season.

The George Rogers Clark boys soccer team is looking for a new coach. Ian Collins, former men's soccer coach at the University of Kentucky, stepped down following one season at the helm in which he guided the Cardinals to a 7-9-2 record and the school's first postseason victory since 2007. Clark defeated Bourbon County in the opening round of the 39th District Tournament before losing to Montgomery County in the finals. Clark dropped a 4-3 loss to Harrison¿County in the opening round of the 10th¿Region Tournament last month.

LEXINGTON - The bar has been set for the Mercer County boys soccer team. The Titans' season ended Tuesday with a 4-0 loss to No. 2 Paul Dunbar in the first round of the state tournament, but it was a season that saw Mercer finish 21-4-1, win its first district and regional titles and rise to a No. 9 ranking in the statewide coaches' poll. That will be a lot to try to live up to for next season, but junior Daniel Steele said the returning Titans are up for the challenge. Mercer loses nine seniors, but returns nine juniors and eight sophomores.

LEXINGTON - Matt Vogel coaches two of Paul Dunbar's starting defensive players on his club team, so Mercer County's first-year head coach knew how good the Bulldogs' defense would be. It showed it, as the state's second-ranked team shut down the No. 9 Titans in a 4-0 victory at Dunbar in the first round of the boys state soccer tournament. “They were both center backs and defenders, unfortunately,” Vogel said of Dunbar starters Nick Dimeo and Davoud Saghaian. “I told them after the game, 'You've got to let us win at least one ball.'” But those two are just an example of the all-around talent Mercer (21-4-1)

HARRODSBURG - They don't care that they don't score, but they're really interested in making sure that you don't. While the Mercer County boys have a handful of talented offensive players, their best season ever has been built in large part on an airtight defense whose members are considerably less recognizable but no less valuable. Those defenders have helped No. 9 Mercer reach the state tournament for the first time and have made the Titans one of the best defensive teams in the state.

The No. 6 Centre College women's soccer team got three second-half goals Friday and went on to post a 4-1 win over Hendrix at Conway, Ark. Boyle County graduate Alex Combs had a goal and assist in the second half, while Anne Mitchell, Brittany Eisner and Katie Stevenson all added goals for Centre (15-0, 5-0 Southern Athletic Association). Liz Miller and Mary Taylor Kersey had assists. Centre outshot Hendrix 24-6 and had an 11-1 edge in corner kicks. Men's Soccer Centre 3, Hendrix 1 - At Conway, Ark., Ryan Garvey scored twice and had an assist Friday as the Colonels (11-3-1, 4-1 SAA)

The Lincoln County girls soccer team accomplished a lot this season, setting a school record for wins, winning their first regional tournament game and advancing to the regional finals for the first time. But on Saturday, the Patriots ran into a West Jessamine team that is used to postseason success. Lincoln trailed by three goals at halftime and fell to the No. 18 Colts 7-1 in the 12th Region Tournament title game at Rebel Stadium. “We just knew we had a really hard game tonight,” junior Maddie Adams said.

DANVILLE - There were a lot of tears shed on the Lincoln County sideline Saturday night after a 7-1 loss to West Jessamine in the Girls 12th Region Soccer Tournament final at Boyle County High School. “I'm proud of how we played. It's just heartbreaking to see something that I've put so much time into come to an end,” Lincoln senior Taylor Faulkner said with tears falling down her cheeks.  As the players longed for a second chance, considering that a berth in the state tournament was on the line, Lincoln coach Andrew Kaiser reminded them of what they had accomplished this season - setting a school record for wins (15)

The West Jessamine High School girls' soccer team continued its roll through the district and region Saturday night, punching a ticket to the state tournament with a 7-1 victory over Lincoln County in the 12th Region final in Danville. It was the team's second straight region title after claiming the 14th Region championship en route to the state semifinals last year. This was West's first year in the 12th Region. The Lady Patriots ended the season with a record of 15-5-2. It only took about nine minutes for the Lady Colts (14-4-7)