FOUR-PEAT: Lady Jumpers take down Pulaski to claim district title

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Isabella McKenzie (center) hoists the district championship trophy in the air during a celebration with her team following the Jumpers' 3-0 win over Pulaski County in the finals of the 47th District Tournament on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

SOMERSET - For a stellar group of seniors that don the Purple and Gold, they had a chance on Monday evening to add to their already long list of accomplishments in their time as Jumpers, with their 47th District title contest against the hosting Lady Maroons of Pulaski County a chance for their fourth-straight district title. All this senior class knows is to win, could they down the Maroons for the third time this season, however?

Despite a game full of emotions for both sides, the Jumpers did enough offensive work in the first half to come away with a 3-0 victory, securing the district title in the process. Head coach Ben Robertson was very pleased with his group following the victory.

"12 straight wins over Pulaski, this senior group has never lost to them. Tonight was a fun night, things got a bit scrappy during the second half, but we did enough work in the first half to take the win. We know what their weaknesses are and we executed well enough in the first half to essentially put the game away at that point," he explained.

Addisyn Dopp had a shot attempt in the first minute of the game that was the lone attempt for the Maroons for a while. Tori Robertson, fresh off setting the career scoring mark at Somerset, had her first shot attempt in the third minute off her left foot, but it was saved by a diving Jessica Phillippi in net. Robertson didn't take long to redeem herself though, as she received a short corner kick two minutes later and connected with the left side of the net, giving her team the early 1-0 edge.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County freshman Addisyn Dopp (17) takes a shot attempt while being trailed by Somerset sophomore Khloe Roberts (2) during the Maroons' loss to the Jumpers on Monday.

Pulaski senior defender Simi McAlpin gave her all throughout the contest and had a great stop in the sixth minute of the game. Robertson scored goal number two of the game in the eighth minute, as her shot from near the top of the box bent past the diving goalkeeper for a 2-0 lead. Isabella McKenzie had two stellar chances in the 21st and 24th minutes, but both were just narrowly off their mark. McKenzie got on the board in the 30th minute, as she rebounded a shot near the net for an easy goal to put the Jumpers ahead 3-0. Although Robertson had two more attempts in the last 10 minutes, Somerset took that 3-0 lead into the half.

Robertson almost had her second goal in the 41st minute before it bounced off the left crossbar and away from the net. Dopp had a shot two minutes later that sailed over the goal. Robertson kept trying for that second goal and had two near connections in the 47th and 48th minutes. Emotions came to a boiling point in the 50th minute, as a fight broke out between Somerset sophomore Khloe Roberts and Pulaski County sophomore Maliyah Swinney. After a significant delay, both were dealt red cards and ejected from the contest. That also means both will have to sit out their next two games as well.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Somerset senior Tori Robertson (left) takes a shot past the defense of Pulaski County sophomore Ada Schepers (13) during the Jumpers' contest against the Maroons on Monday evening.

Bella Gregory had a close look at the goal in the 52nd minute, but her shot was saved by Phillippi. McAlpin took the ball herself in the 62nd minute, but her shot was no good after a stop by Somerset goalkeeper Aijah Carrender and a foul in the box by the Maroons. A shot from McKenzie in the 66th minute was saved, before a free kick from Ada Schepers three minutes later went wide of the net.

Carrender continued her great night in goal with another stop in the 71st minute. Maliyah Childrey, Robertson and Storey Justice all had looks at the goal in the final 10 minutes of the contest, but couldn't connect with their targets. However, it was still a Somerset celebration at the end of the game, as the Jumpers celebrated a fourth-straight district crown with their 3-0 win. With region looming next week, and the Jumpers hosting as a result of their win, coach Robertson thinks his team has what it takes and is playing their best soccer of the year at the right moment.

Photo by Jacob Pratt: Pulaski County sophomore Emily Purcell (21) attempts to get the ball from Somerset senior Ella Latavong (right) during the game between the Lady Maroons and the Lady Jumpers on Monday.

"We are starting to hit our stride, we're figuring out the mistakes we made early in the season and not giving away the scrappy goals we were giving away early in the season. Quite honestly, there is enough talent on this team to cause an upset or two," he exclaimed.

The 47th District All-Regular Season Team was announced following the conclusion of the game. Representing Rockcastle County was freshman Lydia Conforti and junior Brianna Hensley, representing Casey County was senior Ashlynd Pittman and senior Gracie Smith, representing Pulaski County was Simi McAlpin, Jessica Phillippi and Alyssa Salyer, and representing Somerset was Ella Latavong, Bella Gregory, Isabella McKenzie and Tori Robertson.

Both Somerset and Pulaski County will advance to next week's 12th Region Tournament, to be hosted by Somerset at Clara Morrow Field.