GEORGETOWN, Ky. — For a team that just lost a state championship soccer game, the Holy Cross girls didn't look all that sad.

        Senior forward Kristal Menard's goals in the 26th and 72nd minutes led South Oldham to a 2-0 win Saturday at Rawlings Stadium.

        “It was close enough,” senior midfielder Jamie Reynolds said. “We gave it our best run.”

        Holy Cross (20-4) wouldn't have played for a title without Reynolds and senior Tara Nolan.

        Reynolds, whose 29 goals set a school record, scored two goals in last Saturday's 2-0 win over Newport Central Catholic. Nolan scored both goals of Monday's 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Harrison County.

        But against South Oldham, they mostly disappeared. Nolan had just one shot in the first half, and Reynolds was blanked altogether.

        “They were marking pretty tight,” Reynolds said. “We couldn't keep it in the offense.”

        South Oldham (24-1) claimed its third straight state title and fifth out of the last six. And Menard said the win was special because it was the least expected of the three.

        “A lot of people thought we were rebuilding,” Menard said. “We picked up where we left off.”

        Menard's first goal was a left-footed shot off a crossing pass from junior forward Jennifer Wilson and about 15 yards in front of Holy Cross keeper Stephanie Lea.

        “Actually, I never use my left foot,” Menard said. “But when time calls for it, it'll shoot.”

        Time called for it in the 72nd minute, and Menard took a pass from junior forward Jennifer Wilson and beat Lea to the lower right corner.

        “She may be the best finisher we've ever had,” South Oldham coach Cy Tucker said.

        Holy Cross' best scoring chance in the first half fizzled in the 28th minute, when junior forward Emily Strohm dribbled inside the Dragons' 18-yard box before the South Oldham defense cut her off.
       

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