LEXINGTON, Ky. — Cooper Excessive College will not quickly neglect this 2023 soccer season.
The Jaguars accomplished their season journey because the Kentucky Class 5A state runner-up Saturday night time at College of Kentucky’s Kroger Discipline.
Bowling Inexperienced defeated Cooper 28-14 within the remaining state championship recreation of the weekend.
Bowling Inexperienced (12-3) took benefit of two first-half turnovers and led Cooper 21-7 at halftime.
“We knew coming into this recreation we must play rather well and make some performs, get some stops,” Cooper coach Randy Borchers mentioned. “We had two pricey turnovers early within the recreation that sort of took the momentum away from us. We needed to play from behind and could not recover from the hump.”
A gradual rain greeted the groups early within the second half. Bowling Inexperienced prolonged its result in 28-7 after a landing with 3:35 left within the third quarter.
Cooper saved clawing again early within the fourth quarter. That is when sophomore quarterback Cam O’Hara discovered junior tight finish Austin Alexander in the long run zone for an 11-yard landing go connection. That reduce into Bowling Inexperienced’s result in make it 28-14.
Cooper compelled a turnover on Bowling Inexperienced’s subsequent possession. Senior linebacker Jack Lonaker compelled a fumble that sophomore Ryker Campbell recovered. Cooper threatened deep in Bowling Inexperienced territory after that however could not convert late alternatives within the fourth quarter.
O’Hara was 22 of 47 passing for 220 yards and two touchdowns. Alexander had eight receptions for 93 yards and a landing. Defensively, Lonaker had a game-high 9 tackles.
“He is a warrior; he is sort of been our man for the final three years,” Borchers mentioned of Lonaker. “We sort of constructed our protection round him the final three years. He is been the guts and soul of the protection.”
Cooper gave a big effort by way of the sport after trailing early within the state remaining.
Bowling Inexperienced jumped out to a 7-0 lead after Cooper fumbled a punt return try early within the first quarter.
Bowling Inexperienced led 14-0 with 5:55 left within the second quarter till the Jaguars reduce the deficit in half two minutes later.
Cooper junior vast receiver Isaiah Johnson caught a 24-yard landing go from O’Hara. Senior Carson Taylor added the additional level – one among two that may make within the state remaining. Johnson had 5 receptions for 68 yards.
Regardless of Cooper’s first-half landing, Bowling Inexperienced capitalized on Cooper’s second fumble punt return and took a 21-7 lead into halftime.
Cooper (12-3), ranked No. 10 statewide by MaxPreps, made its second state remaining look and the primary championship alternative since 2012.
It was a memorable journey for Cooper which earned its first playoff win since 2018. Cooper, which opened in 2008, entered the state remaining with eight consecutive wins together with three victories in a row on the highway.
Cooper was the second Northern Kentucky group to seem in a soccer state remaining this weekend at Kroger Discipline. Boyle County defeated Covington Catholic 41-0 within the Class 4A state remaining Friday night time.
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