Ladybirds aim for return to glory days

G. Michael Graham Photo. First-year Highlands Ladybirds Head Girls soccer coach Brian Wiefering gives instructions during a recent practice. Highlands finished 8-8-5 last year losing in the 9th Region title game to Notre Dame, 3-0.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If the end of last season showed a major indication, the Highlands Ladybirds soccer team is in store for great things.

Highlands finished 8-8-5 last season, but caught fire in the postseason. The Ladybirds captured their seventh district championship in eight years and lost 3-0 in the 9th Region finals to eventual state champion Notre Dame.

Highlands would love to get back to the level seen between 2005 and 2008. The Ladybirds finished 80-11-11 during that time winning two state championships and garnering another runner-up finish. They also outscored opponents 238-44 during that run.

That’s the challenge facing new Head Coach Brian Wiefering and staff. The Highlands administration promoted Wiefering from his assistant role in the offseason after five-year Head Coach Tommy Kearns resigned because of an increased workload at Fidelity. Neither Kearns nor his wife Nina will be on the Highlands sidelines this fall for the first time since 1997.

Wiefering brought back former assistant Stephanie Sandfoss-Graves. Graves tallied 64 goals and 39 assists in her career before graduating in 1999 and is still the school’s all-time leading scorer. The other two assistants are Josh Hartung and Mark Farley.

“Some of the girls who were on the team last year were surprised,” Wiefering said. “I had to take a completely different role. It’s very black and white. They know what I will accept and what I won’t accept. Probably many of them will tell you I’m a lot more serious and determined than what they’ve known in the past. But being the leader of the program, that’s a hat I have to wear. I didn’t know how many girls would buy into that. But after the Bluegrass Games, I can tell you they have.”

Highlands performed well in the Bluegrass Games. They won both games against Louisville Male and Bardstown.

Highlands knows that catching Notre Dame might mean a state championship. The Ladybirds handed them one of their two losses last year in the Lexington Catholic Cup. The Pandas shut out the nine opponents, 38-0 on their way to their third state championship in school history.

Highlands will employ a 4-3-3 (defender-midfielder-forward) strategy. Wiefering is big on controlling the midfield. The strategy could change depending on the opponent.

“We’re very, very positive in the way we coach,” Wiefering said. “At the same time, if they’re not going to work and be where we want them to be, we have junior varsity girls that would love to be varsity. If they’re going to be on the Highlands varsity, they’re going to be where we want them to be. It’s going to be a lot of work. But they also need to understand their role at each position.”

The Ladybirds have 22 listed on the varsity. They are five seniors, 10 juniors, six sophomores and a freshman. Highlands had to make some cuts.

“I hate that,” Wiefering said. “But where other programs are begging girls to come out and play for their team and might not have numbers to have one team, we have so many girls coming out. We’re able to keep rosters of 20 girls on three teams and still cut girls. More than anything, that excites me about soccer.”

Highlands graduated eight seniors off last year’s team including goalkeeper Sarah Owen. Also, a leading goal scorer in Brooklynn Rivers decided not to return this year.

Things start with the defense. Highlands hopes to beat teams up the field for some transition goals.

The seniors are Taylor Vaughn, Peyton Bankemper, Brooke Dougherty, Allyson Bridewell and Lydia Graves. They will be counted on to lead and build team chemistry.

“I think the main key is staying positive, having a good attitude and staying organized on the field,” Bridewell said. “We know we’re going to be friends off the field. It’s about working hard and doing the best we can.”

A good number of juniors and sophomores saw action last year. The juniors are Kylie Schuerman, Hannah Culyer, Madalyn Wiefering, Ellie Farley, Haley Crothers, Kamryn Balson, Maddie Hope, McKenzie Messmer, Lauren Ossege and Megan Reynolds. The sophomores are Kiersten Clukey, Annalee Brewer, Claudia Hills, Shannon Eaton, Annie Schneider and Kayla Nehus. Freshman Olivia McQuery rounds out the roster.

“I think we have a lot of good younger girls who have stepped up to play those offensive roles,” Vaughn said. “Our teamwork has been great this year. I think if we keep on that, we’ll do even better than last year.”

Highlands opens the season Aug. 18 against St. Henry. Game time is 7:30 p.m.