Ryle's boys soccer season ended in the state semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Raiders fell to No. 2-ranked St. Xavier 3-1 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods.

The loss was a familiar sting. It marked Ryle's fifth trip to the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) state semifinals since 2017, and the Raiders have now lost all five, LINK nky reported. Three of those exits came in penalty kicks, including twice against St. Xavier. The Tigers also eliminated Ryle in 2023.

St. Xavier entered the match undefeated and nationally ranked No. 2, looking to defend its state title.

Ryle nearly grabbed an early lead when Cooper Neace got a shot off inside the box, but St. Xavier goalkeeper T.C. Kron stretched to knock it away with his right hand. The Tigers countered quickly. Logan Seales finished off a James Walker feed less than two minutes into the match to put St. Xavier up 1-0.

Neace kept attacking. He broke free in the 12th minute and was fouled by Kron, giving Ryle a penalty kick. Chase McCarthy buried it to tie the score.

From there, neither side could find a winner. St. Xavier rattled the crossbar three separate times across the first half, second half and first overtime. Ryle's best late chance came in the 62nd minute, when Daniel Lopez slid into a shot that drifted just wide.

The Tigers outshot Ryle 19-9 overall and 8-4 on target. Ryle goalkeeper Stropko finished with seven saves.

After 80 minutes of regulation and two five-minute overtime periods, the match went to a penalty shootout. St. Xavier converted three of its four attempts. Only Parker Wilson scored for Ryle, as Danny Harding, McCarthy and Damien Lakkis all missed. Kron stopped Lakkis's final attempt to clinch the r-1 shootout result.

Ryle coach Stephen Collins told LINK nky the team had practiced penalty kicks more this season than any other but said the pressure of a state final four game after 90 minutes of play does not translate from practice.

The Raiders' run this season marked a sharp turnaround. Ryle missed the 9th Region tournament altogether last year. Collins said the team adopted a new approach, learning a second formation and emphasizing team play over individual effort.

Ryle finishes 24-4-1 and will graduate 19 seniors. St. Xavier improved to 24-0-1 and advances to the state championship game Saturday, Nov. 7.