MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Top-ranked Knoxville Catholic started the soccer season as the Class A/AA state-title favorite, while Boyd-Buchanan began just hoping to make it as far as the region tournament.

The Buccaneers exceeded their own expectations by reaching the state final four, but their postseason run ended with a 6-0 semifinal loss to Catholic on Thursday evening at the Richard Siegel Soccer Complex.

“We saw them play last night, and we knew that they were a great team,” Boyd-Buchanan coach Jason Owens said. “I can’t say that we played our best, but that’s probably just because they’re so good. No offense to their opponent, but if they don’t win state, I don’t know who should.

“They completely dominated us, but we learned so much from playing this team. But it hurts. That’s all there is to it. These guys tried so hard.”

The Bucs hung with Catholic for the first 14 minutes before Spencer Payne scored the first Irish goal, and Michael Bonfini added another a little more than two minutes later. Another goal from Payne made it 3-0 at the half, and the junior forward added scores in the 43rd, 48th and 53rd minutes to finish the game with five.

“He’s been fired up all day,” Catholic coach Mark Leader said. “He said he was going to have a big day, and he certainly did. He’s a forward, and he did what he’s supposed to do up top.”

Although his team will leave Murfreesboro disappointed with the way its season ended, Owens said he wants the Bucs (16-3-2) to remember all they accomplished. With seven sophomore starters, Boyd-Buchanan still earned District 5 and Region 3 titles and the school’s first state-tournament berth in 10 years.

“Starting the year, there’s no way anybody would have said this was where we were going to wind up,” Owens said. “But every game, they just kept believing and getting better and better and better. And we kept winning until we ran into this team. It’s a good lesson learned. I told them there’s no reason anybody should hang their head.”

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