How Collegiate boys soccer stormed past Male — once again — in 26th District semis

After falling in the All "A" Tournament final, Collegiate High School boys soccer focused its disappointment toward a run at the state title and has steamrolled teams in the process.

"Since that loss, the kids have let it sink in and they want bigger and better things," Collegiate coach Chad Wozniak said. "This is the first step. Training's been really good, and they've been really pumped and locked in."

The Titans' kept things rolling Tuesday night. Collegiate overwhelmed Male from start to finish in the 26th District semifinals at St. Xavier High School, shutting out the Bulldogs 5-0. Five different players scored, while goalkeeper Crew Hartlage recorded the shutout.

Here's what you need to know from the Titans' blowout win with district tournament scores from the area:

What it means

Collegiate (13-3-1) advances to the 26th District Championship and will play St. Xavier (16-1-3) on Thursday at 7 p.m. Male's season ends at 9-5-4. In his first year, Male coach James Morris led the Bulldogs to big time wins over Butler, Fern Creek and Trinity, yet Collegiate ended their season for the eighth consecutive year.

The win also gives Collegiate a Seventh Region tournament appearance, regardless of Thursday's result.

KHSAA boys soccer district tournaments:See the pairings, Louisville-area teams to watch

Key moment

Collegiate's offense cooled at the start of the second half and Male threatened to trim the Titans' lead. But with 18:26 remaining, Collegiate's Elijah Harper snuck in a goal off an assist from Nick Harshaw. Two minutes later, the Titans ended Male's comeback hopes with a goal from Jafet Figueroa.

In the span of two minutes, Collegiate doubled its lead and cruised the rest of the way.

By the numbers

The Titans have had one of the best defenses in Kentucky this season thanks to sophomore goalkeeper Crew Hartlage. He recorded his eighth shutout of the season, tied for 10th best in the KHSAA.

KHSAA girls soccer district tournaments:See the pairings, Louisville-area teams to watch

Up next

The Titans lost to St. Xavier 2-1 on Aug. 23 then went 10-straight games without a defeat. Collegiate's eager to showcase its improvement since then. The Tigers have won three-straight meetings over Collegiate, including a victory in last year's district title game.

They said it

Wozniak on what's ahead in the loaded Seventh Region tournament: "Our region is insane. To look at our region and see the teams that are in there, every game is going to be war. We call it the Group of Death."

Willis MacGregor on he and Collegiate's three other seniors trying to make the most of their final weeks: "I'm a senior and I told these guys that this is it for me. So I'm going to give it all I got to end the year. They've got my back and I'm supporting them. We just want to give it our all."

Follow Courier Journal reporter J.L. Kirven on Twitter @JL_Kirven for more updates on Louisville prep sports.

Tuesday's district semifinal results

21st District

Fairdale 10 , Valley 0

Pleasure Ridge Park 6 , Holy Cross 1

22nd District

Butler 3, Doss 0

DeSales 5, Iroquois 1

23rd District

Bullitt Central, Southern

Moore 7 , North Bullitt 0

26th District

St. Xavier 4, Brown 0

Collegiate 5, Male 5

27th District

Trinity 8, Seneca 0