Tates Creek High School won the girls’ state soccer championship after upsetting top-ranked Notre Dame 2-1 on Nov. 3.
After two overtimes, the Tates Creek Commodores secured a victory by outscoring the defending champions 5-4 on penalty kicks. Tates Creek is coached by Bo Lankster, whose daughters Aaron and Bailey tallied the final two points while sister Arly played goalkeeper.
Second-ranked Tates Creek defeated West Jessamine, Murray and Bowling Green to advance to the finals against Notre Dame. Tates Creek closed the season with a 23-1-4 record. Previously, the Commodores were state runners-up in 1995.
On the boys’ side, Paul Laurence Dunbar was runner-up to No. 1 St. Xavier after a 1-0 loss. This was the 11th straight shutout for St. Xavier. Coached by Todd Bretz, No. 2 Dunbar eliminated Mercer County, Bowling Green and Henderson County before the title matchup. The team finished the season with a 25-4 record. Previously, the Dunbar Bulldogs were state champions in 2005, 2001 and 1992.
In October, the two teams came out on top in the 11th Region tournaments to advance to the state’s Sweet Sixteen.