Highlands struggles in 5-0 defeat to Bishop Brossart

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
MELBOURNE - The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team may be dealing with some injuries now.
But head coach Tommy Kearns does not want that to be an excuse. The Ladybirds (2-4-1 overall) faced the Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs at Pendery Park here Tuesday and fell 5-0 mostly because they did not clear balls in their box allowing Brossart (5-3) many more shot opportunities.
"We did not do a good job defending," Kearns said. "It's a physical battle to win the ball. We have to come out on top in that situation."
Highlands has been playing without the services of senior midfielder/forward Ava Abner. Abner is having surgery today on her right Meniscus. She hurt it against St. Henry and it became worse as she took more hits. Abner said the surgery could leave her out for four weeks or four months meaning she could miss part of basketball season. If it is just four weeks, she could be back in time for the soccer postseason.
Abner missed part of her junior year in basketball last year. She tore her right Anterior Cruciated Ligament, Medial Collateral Ligament and Meniscus in December when Sydney Moss undercut her when the two were going for a loose ball.
"We have some sports where some people are going to have to step up and fill shoes," Kearns said. "There are some adjustments we still have to make."
The Lady Mustangs outshot the visitors, 18-3. Highlands goalkeepers Jesse Daley and Sarah Owen once again split halves. Daley made six saves in the first half including one on a rebound shot and Owen made seven in the second.
Brossart junior goalkeeper Sarah Futcher did not have a lot of action at her end. She saved all three Highlands shots.
Both teams ran 4-4-2 attacks. But Brossart showed its balance as five different players scored. The Lady Mustangs scored four goals in the second half to pull away.
Highlands freshman Brooklynn Rivers makes things happen when the Ladybirds get the ball to her. She had just a few touches Tuesday.
Brossart dented the scoreboard in the first half when Micaela Smith scored. Teammates Madison Linebach, Allison Greely, Abby Stadmiller and Amanda Hasl added goals for the Lady Mustangs in the second half.
Kearns also hopes a return to a turf field will help. The Ladybirds played on grass fields at Pendery and in the recent win at Boone County.