South Oldham and Central Hardin Win Soccer Openers
South Oldham and Central Hardin advance after defeating Assumption and Bullitt East in the state tournament.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Soccer
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South Oldham defeated Assumption 1-0 in the first round of the KHSAA girls soccer state tournament. Meanwhile, Central Hardin advanced by securing a victory over Bullitt East.
Why it matters
These wins propel both teams into the state quarterfinals, keeping their championship aspirations alive in the Kentucky tournament. For Bullitt East, the loss marks their fourth consecutive first-round exit from the competition.
South Oldham enters the next round with a 15-1-2 record, while Central Hardin boasts a 22-0-3 record this season. Anna Cate Shelton provided the decisive score in the 34th minute of the South Oldham match.
The players
South Oldham
This Kentucky girls soccer team holds a 15-1-2 record as they advance into the tournament quarterfinals.
Central Hardin
This high school team maintains a 22-0-3 record after a decisive first-round victory.
Assumption
The soccer team finishes their season with a 14-4-2 record after the tournament loss.
Bullitt East
The team holds a 12-9-2 record following their fourth consecutive opening-round state tournament exit.
The details
South Oldham secured their spot with a narrow 1-0 win, while Central Hardin dominated their match with a high-scoring performance. Addison Maddock and Audrey McGee each scored twice for Central Hardin, supported by additional goals from Sophia Swink, Audrey Garrett, and Lia VanZant.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: South Oldham defeated Assumption in the first round.
October 31, 2026: Both South Oldham and Central Hardin host tournament quarterfinals.
Season Trajectory
These victories finalize the competitive landscape for the state quarterfinal round. Both winning teams now shift their focus to maintaining their momentum while hosting their next postseason challenges.
South Oldham and Central Hardin are guaranteed home-field advantage for their upcoming quarterfinal matchups. Bullitt East must look toward next season to break their four-year trend of early tournament exits.
The takeaway
Advancing through the state bracket requires consistent performance during high-pressure knockout games. Teams like Central Hardin demonstrate the offensive depth needed to succeed in tournament play.
What happens next
South Oldham and Central Hardin will host their respective state tournament quarterfinal matches on October 31, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on the regional bracket, visit Kentucky Soccer.
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