Highlands edges NCC, 2-1 in another classic

G. Michael Graham Photo. Members of the Highlands and Newport Central Catholic soccer teams get in position for a corner kick in Tuesday's game. The Bluebirds won 2-1 in the season opener for both teams.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Close soccer games often come down to two things.

That is either a well-executed run-out or the opponent not stepping forward to clear the ball in its defensive box. The Highlands Bluebirds ended up doing the extra things to beat their 36th District rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 2-1 on Tuesday at Tower Park.

Highlands continued to dominate the series between the two schools about two miles apart. The Bluebirds improved to 12-1-2 against the Thoroughbreds since 2004. NewCath’s lone win during that stretch came 1-0 in the district championship game last year.

“We absolutely hope that (momentum) carries on,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “It was a fantastic crowd. Playing NC, it’s always a big game. It’s kind of one of those scary situations where if we drop off, it could hurt us really bad. If we keep this momentum, we could do well the rest of the week.”

NewCath outshot Highlands, 10-6. But Highlands goalkeepers Nick Breslin and Nathan Tippenhauer recorded three and five saves in the first and second halves respectively. They also had plenty of help from their teammates in clearing balls, especially late in the game.

“It’s a matter of positioning yourself with other defenders to make sure one person is covering the back,” said Devin Dupont, Highands junior. “We need to move as a unit and keep together as a team. We can’t do anything stupid in the box.”

Thoroughbred goalkeeper Paul Grosser also had a good game. The junior recorded four saves.

“I expected a tight game,” said Mike McDonald, NewCath head coach. “We have some things to work on. You get the first game of the season out of the way. We learn and we move on. Defensively in the center of the field, we lost our marks.”

Highlands scored both of its goals from 40 yards out. The first one came with 1:38 left in the first half. Cole Davis-Roberts drew a foul outside the box and scored on the free kick. Davis-Roberts also drew a penalty kick opportunity with 11:10 left in the game, but Grosser slid to his left to deflect the shot away.

The Bluebirds added to their 1-0 halftime lead just 4:33 into the second half. Chris Garbig also scored from about 40 yards out to put Highlands up 2-0.

“I took a touch forward, looked up and the far (right) post was wide open. I took the opportunity,” Garbig said. “You have to strike (the ball) as clean as possible and make sure the laces are coming through the ball and stay over it making sure you keep it low.”

Winkler and staff said they would love to see more shots like that. Garbig and Davis-Roberts play big scoring roles in Highlands’ 4-4-2 and 3-5-1 (defender-midifielder-forward) attacks.

“Chris (Garbig) and Cole (Davis-Roberts) are really talented,” Winkler said. “They have really good confidence behind the ball. When they see the keeper is off his line or off to the side, I’m okay with them taking that risk (of long shots). Two of them paid off for us.”

The Thoroughbreds then scored their only goal eight seconds later. Senior midfielder Connor Hanneken put one in for NewCath. The Thoroughbreds run a 4-4-2 attack.

“We just have to take advantage of our opportunities,” McDonald said. “We haven’t had a prolific scorer since Austin (Juniet, a 2012 NC graduate). We have a couple guys who are mature enough to do it. It was not for a lack of effort. It was for a lack of good play.”

Both teams return to action Thursday. Highlands plays host to St. Henry at 8 p.m. and NewCath plays host to Conner at 6 p.m.