Highands blanks Calvary Christian, 3-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

For the second straight game, the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team put a team away.

The Bluebirds scored two goals in the second half to down the visiting Calvary Christian Cougars, 3-0 Tuesday at Tower Park. They’ve won two in a row to move to 8-6-1. This comes after a 1-4-1 stretch after starting the year 5-2.

“We’re just trying to instill good values in them that when you get a lead, let’s be comfortable with that lead,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “We need to get our risk-taking to a normal level. If it’s a 3-0 or 2-0 win, it’s okay. They’re good wins against a quality team.”

Calvary fell to 6-5-1. The Cougars tied Dixie Heights on Sept. 15.

This marked the fifth shutout of the year for Highlands. Goalkeeper Nick Breslin stopped all six Cougar shots and received nice help from defenders like Jimmy Penrod and Alex Shepherd. One Calvary shot hit the top bar.

“(The Cougars) were just like us,” Breslin said. “They had a lot of talent up top. Our defense stuck together and fought through that 3-0 win. They had some unlucky shots. But our defense did well overall.”

Highlands managed nine shots. Calvary goalkeeper Dilan Grote stopped six of them.

The Bluebirds scored the only goal of the first half with 10:32 remaining. Andrew Barnes saved the ball from going out near the goal and passed back to Christian Austin. Austin landed the shot to Grote’s right for the score.

“We seem to come out flat sometimes,” Barnes said. “It seems like when we get a goal, we pick it up. It makes us comfortable. It gives us hope even though we should have it in the beginning.”

The first goal of the second half came with 24:06. Grote fouled Emerson Holladay in the box. Holladay nailed the penalty kick passed Calvary’s Kipp Barnes. Grote had to come out of the game for the penalty kick because he committed the hard foul drawing a yellow card.

Highlands added an insurance goal with 21:09 remaining. Franklin Graves scored for the Bluebirds.

It was a physical game. Calvary drew three yellow cards to none for Highlands.

“I’m a former referee and they know that,” Winkler said. “I still have a good (relationship) with the guys that work (our games) so tell the guys it’s my job to deal with it if there’s a call that’s controversial. They just need to be out there playing soccer.”

Highlands faces Covington Catholic on Thursday at 8 p.m. back at Tower Park.