Bluegrass Ball: Kentucky Has The Top-Ranked High School Soccer in the Nation

Anwar Stetson

Anwar Stetson

St. Xavier’s Trey White (9) leaps into the air trying to avoid Louisville Collegiate’s Carter Sipes (21) at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky. © Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Home of the Greatest

The Bluegrass State is known for horse racing and college basketball. Its biggest city, Louisville, is famous for its baseball bats. The state’s rich sports history also includes native son Muhammad Ali, one of the greatest boxers of all time.

But don’t sleep on the impact of “the beautiful game.” Schools around the Ohio River basin produce some of the top-ranked high school soccer programs in the nation. Two Kentucky schools, Trinity and St. Xavier, are both currently undefeated and ranked as top boys teams.

For this article, let’s take a look at the rivalry between the state’s two biggest programs.

Collegiate’s Keagan Smith (9) plays against Trinity’s Evan Woodward (20) at the Trinity soccer field in (Louisville, Ky.) © Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tale of the Tape

Trinity (12-0-2) is the sixth-ranked team in its region, according to United Soccer Coaches, and it is the third-ranked, according to Max Preps. Rival St. Xavier (13-0-1) is the ninth-ranked per United Soccer Coaches and No. 1 per Max Preps.

Both teams are undefeated with just a few games left in the regular season. 

Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) stats for the schools’ soccer rivalry go back to 1972. That was when they faced off in the state championship. In that contest, St. X defeated Trinity 3-2.

St. Xavier’s Liam Kent (3) celebrates his score in the second half against Louisville Collegiate. © Matt Stone/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

St. Xavier enters the match with the upper hand, at least historically. Over the past couple of decades, the Tigers lead 19-12 within the scope of the 21st century, and they have won 15 state championships. Trinity has two state championships, but none since 1998.

The 2013 Trinity squad lost 2-1 in a shootout with Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in the school’s last state title appearance. Dunbar defeated St. Xavier in the state title match 1-0 last season. The Tigers’ last title came in 2020.  

Trinity’s Camden Beard (30), center, celebrates with teammates. © Sam Upshaw Jr./Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Beautiful Game in the Bluegrass

The two schools bring years of tradition, talent, and intensity to this storied rivalry. While St. Xavier has largely controlled the series going 4-0 against the Shamrocks last season, Trinity remains a dangerous and capable side. With both teams likely headed to the playoffs, their match on September 20 serves as a litmus test for their state championship aspirations.

St. X is coming off a 3-2 win over North Oldham (Ky.), and faces off against Evansville Memorial (Ind.) on Friday. Trinity is coming off a 1-1 tie to Ballard (Ky.). 

In a state known for great amateur sports, and a city known as the home of “the greatest,” Kentucky’s winning spirit will shine through on the pitch as the two rivals prepare to face off again.