Bluebirds aim for better finish to season

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team prepares to take the field during a recent practice. The Bluebirds hope to improve on last season's 10-9-1 record.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Last year, Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer Head Coach Matthew Winkler said teams need to be playing their best soccer to go far in the postseason.

The Bluebirds appeared to be doing that as postseason approached. They recorded four straight shutouts outscoring the opposition by a combined 12-0.

But things quickly turned starting with a 2-0 loss to the 2011 state runner-up Ryle Raiders. That followed with 1-0 postseason losses to the rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds in the 36th District championship and to host St. Henry in the 9th Region quarterfinals. Highlands finished the season 10-9-1 as a result.

The Bluebirds did graduate a nice group of seniors from that team including leading goal-scorer Ethan Schmits with eight and assists leader Michael Cirulli with six. But they do return some experienced players determined to do better when the postseason comes around this year.

“There is a lot of determination here,” Winkler said. “It’s a lot of luck. But on any given day, teams can show up and win. The regular season is used to prepare for the postseason.”

Highlands outscored the opposition, 44-25 last year. The Bluebirds recorded seven shutouts including a 1-0 decision over eventual 9th Region champion and state semifinalist Boone County and were shut out as many times.

The Bluebirds like to run a mixture of 4-4-2 and 3-5-1 (defender-midfielder-forward) sets. They list 10 seniors and eight juniors battling for spots.

“We lost a lot of seniors so we’re putting a lot of guys in new positions,” Winkler said. “We’re working that out. We had a scrimmage last week and did some good things and bad things. We want to get stronger on defense and our offense will come.”

Two of the returning players are senior midfielder Chris Garbig and senior defender Cole Davis-Roberts. The other seniors are Alex Shepherd, Andre Barnes, Colin Dean, Jimmy Penrod, Jordan Jarvis, Jovid Llerena, Mitch Gesenhues and Nathan Tippenhauer.

“It’s about communication and trusting each other,” Davis-Roberts said. “We have to make sure everyone is working along on the same page. Every day is a process. We have to focus and get better every day.”

Junior Nick Breslin returns at goalkeeper for the Bluebirds. But Tippenhauer is battling for time there. The other juniors are Adam Barbro, Brady Dean, Dakota Tate, Devin Dupont, Eric Schurr, Logan Groneck and Vadim Lightner. Dupont tied for second on the team with six goals last year.

The Bluebirds again field three teams this year. The junior varsity team coached by Neal Frink is mostly made of sophomores and the freshmen team coached by Michael Eaton is coached by Michael Eaton. Dave Kraus serves as a varsity assistant.

Highlands boasts an overall record of 348-201-32 since the program in school history. The Bluebirds own 15 district championships, four region championships and finished state runner-up to Louisville St. Xavier in 2008.

Highlands opens the season on Aug. 20 against Newport Central Catholic. Game time is 8 p.m.