Highlands Girls Soccer Take Another Loss

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team had another tough defeat Thursday to a state power.

The Lexington Catholic Lady Knights came to town and shut out Highlands, 4-0. This follows a 5-0 loss to St. Henry on Monday.

The Ladybirds dropped to 1-2 overall and LexCath improved to 2-1-2.

"We want to play the best teams in the state because come postseason, you have to beat the best teams in the state," said Tommy Kearns, Highlands head coach. "That way, October doesn't feel like a surprise. Lexington Catholic is a fine team. We have to continue to work hard to try to get to that level."

The Ladybirds once again saw an opponent score a hat trick. On Monday, reigning Kentucky Player of the Year Libby Leedom did it scoring three goals with an assist. The Lady Knights' Mary Beth Gorham did it Thursday with three goals.

Gorham put Lexington Catholic up for good with 3:07 left in the first half. She made a few moves and kicked one to the back of the net to put the Lady Knights up 1-0 at halftime after just missing moments earlier.

Gorham scored her second two goals within 3:18 of each other. The first came on a penalty kick.

"(Gorham) is really quick and skillful with the ball," Kearns said. "She hits as good of a shot with her right foot as anyone around here. Anytime you have that many strong players, it's tough to mark that many of them. Their speed caused us problems."

The Lady Knights added one more goal with 8:49 left in the game. It came off the foot of Tyler Patton.

The Lady Knights outshot the Ladybirds, 12-1. Jesse Daley and Sara Owen once again split time at goalkeeper for Highlands. Daley made six saves before Owen took over about midway through the second half. Owen made two saves.
Highlands had some shots go far and wide. Lady Knight goalkeeper Sarah Youkilis saved the Ladybirds' lone shot in the second half.

Highlands faces another tough challenge on Saturday at 7 p.m. The Ladybirds travel to Park Hills to take on the undefeated defending state champion Notre Dame Pandas (5-0).