Counter-Ending to Highlands Soccer Season

Ryle Tops Bluebirds, 3-1 for 9th Region Championship

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Nick Gish fires a penalty kick earlier in the week against Covington Catholic. He is one of six seniors on the team that finished 15-8 this year.

It not be a traditional soccer strategy.

But the bottom line is it worked. The visiting Ryle Raiders let the Highlands Bluebirds dribble into the attacking zone of the field then counter-attack in the 9th Region boys soccer championship Saturday at Tower Park. The Raiders walked away for a 3-1 victory and their first region championship since 2011 when they finished state runner-up losing 3-0 to Louisville St. Xavier in the state championship.

Rough Ending to Good Highlands Girls Soccer Season

St. Henry Upsets Highlands on Penalty Kicks

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Lindsey Meyer battles between two Cooper defenders in the 9th Region Quarterfinals. Highlands lost on penalty kicks to St. Henry in the region semifinals at Dixie Heights on Wednesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team hoped to use its speed once more to move on to the 9th Region title game.

But to earn another shot at the arch-rival and six-time region champion Notre Dame Pandas, Highlands had to take down the St. Henry Crusaders. St. Henry employed a strategy of pulling back seven defenders anytime Highlands dribbled into the attacking half of the field in the 9th Region semifinals Wednesday.

Golden Tuesday for Highlands Soccer, Volleyball

Bluebirds Advance in Region, District Tournaments

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Luke Schweitzer (14) goes up for a header in the 9th Region quarterfinals against Cooper on Tuesday at Tower Park.

It seemed fitting these two teams met after the regular season meeting was cancelled.

But one thing did not change from the regular season. The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (14-7 overall) used its speed advantage to down the visiting Cooper Jaguars, 3-1 in the 9th Region Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Tower Park.

Region One-Sider

Bluebirds Earn Comfortable Win Against Cooper

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Maria Wiefering heads one home in Monday's 6-0 win over Cooper. Wiefering leads Highlands with 54 points on 22 goals and 10 assists this year.

It has not been a problem advancing past the 9th Region quarterfinals for the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team in the four seasons with Brian Wiefering as head coach.

It's just that the wins have been a little too close for comfort. But that changed Monday. The Bluebirds (17-4-1 overall) dominated the Cooper Jaguars (14-9-1) from start to finish in a 6-0 victory.

Familiar Soccer Draws

Highlands Soccer Teams Face Cooper in 9th Region Quarterfinals

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Mike Penrod makes a move in the 36th District championship game against Newport Central Catholic on Tuesday. Both Highlands teams take on Cooper in the 9th Region Quarterfinals at Tower Park.

After claiming 36th District championships over the Newport Central Catholic teams, both Highlands soccer teams knew they could draw an opponent from the same school after all four districts had almost identical results.

Saturday Sports Round-Up

Highlands Girls Cross Country Wins NKAC Division I Crown

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands juniors Logan Guy (4) and Liam Ehram (85) celebrate a touchdown in a recent junior varsity game.

The Highlands Ladybirds cross country team ran away with the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference Division I crown Saturday at Idlewood Park in Burlington.

Highlands finished with 36 points out of nine teams. Second-place Ryle finished with 72 points.

Thursday Sports Notes

Highlands Volleyball, Freshman Football Team Record Victories

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The five Highlands volleyball seniors pose with their families on Senior Night. Highlands celebrated with a 3-0 win over Bishop Brossart. The five seniors, from left, are Joy Kappesser, Maddie McCoy, Skyler Phillips, Mary Claire Redden and Gracie Schweitzer.

The Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team is headed into the postseason with the most wins since 2010.