Clinton Lewis/Daily NewsGreenwood goalkeeper Meagan Dillihay is tested by Highland’s Jessica Wiseman and Karak Dickerson along with Greenwood’s Ariel Jones during Thursday’s 3-0 state semifinal loss in Georgetown.

GEORGETOWN – Almost immediately after the Greenwood girls’ soccer team took Rawlings Stadium field, it fell into a deep hole.

The Lady Gators gave up two goals in the first 3:38 and saw their season end with a 3-0 loss to Highlands in the state semifinals Thursday.

It marks the fifth straight year Greenwood’s season has ended in the Final Four.

&#8220It’s hard because we’re seniors and have been through this before,” senior Megan Renfro said. &#8220We came out flat in the first half. They came out strong, caught us off guard and we didn’t expect it.”

Experience meant nothing Thursday. While Greenwood (17-5-3) has made annual pilgrimages to the Final Four at Georgetown College, Highlands (23-2-0) was making its first appearance in the state spotlight.

Instead, Greenwood also experienced more Final Four heartache and Highlands will meet Lexington Catholic in Saturday’s title game. The Lady Gators have yet to reach the elusive state final game, but GHS coach Amy Helliwell will take the Final Four trips over staying at home.

&#8220They walked off the field with their heads held high, and they should,” Helliwell said. &#8220To be one of the final four teams in the state is something to be proud of. I would (rather have this). They fought together for the team and played for the team.”

The Highlands duo of Alicia Browning and Kara Dickerson gave Highlands its 2-0 lead. Only 68 seconds into the match, Dickerson fed Browning at the top of the box, and Browning blasted the shot by Greenwood goalkeeper Meagan Dillihay.

Little more than two minutes later, Browning returned the favor.

Browning found Dickerson just inside the box and after a dribble, Dickerson lofted a shot over Dillihay’s outstretched arms for a 2-0 advantage.

Highlands outshot Greenwood 12-0 in the first half and 16-1 for the game.

&#8220(The two early goals were) a very nice surprise,” Highlands coach Nina Kearns said. &#8220They were very pumped up to start the game. I think they’ve had this on their minds so long, they knew they had to focus and that would make the difference.”

Once Highlands took its 2-0 lead, history showed it was nearly impossible for Greenwood to climb back. Highlands gave up two goals in only one game this year and was also shooting for history Thursday.

Highlands had shut out 18 opponents in its 22 previous victories. By shutting out Greenwood on Thursday, Highlands broke the state record for shutouts in a season, previously held by South Oldham’s 1998 squad.

&#8220Wanting to keep the clean sheet is always in our minds,” Kearns said. &#8220And (Greenwood is) a team that has put points on the board consistently. It was about an 11-player defensive effort.”

Greenwood also entered Thursday shorthanded and Helliwell tried to gamble against Highlands. Greenwood was without starting center midfielder Cali Carter because of a knee injury and Helliwell chose to move Renfro out of the defense and into Carter’s spot.

&#8220I’m going to take 75 percent of the blame for this loss,” Helliwell said. &#8220Since it was our fifth straight year here, I was just going to go for it. I moved (Renfro) try to strengthen our offense. But it basically left us vulnerable in the back.”

Highlands also has athletic genes on its side. Former Cincinnati Bengals standout Cris Collinsworth was in attendance to watch his sophomore daughter, Katie.

Katie Collinsworth made her dad and Highlands proud when she gave the Bluebirds a 3-0 lead in the 27th minute. Collinsworth was planted directly in front of the net and headed a beautiful crossing pass from Stephanie Newman.

But Greenwood held Highlands to only four second-half shots. Greenwood’s lone shot came in the second half by Krista Carter.

&#8220All three of their goals were beautiful goals,” Helliwell said. &#8220You can’t take anything away from Highlands. But then again you can’t take anything away from us. I thought they just played tremendous in the second half.”