NewCath advances, Highlands falls in 9th quarters

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

ERLANGER – The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds and Highlands Bluebirds soccer teams found themselves on opposite ends of 1-0 scores in the 9th Region quarterfinals Sunday.

NewCath defeated Villa Madonna by that score and Highlands fell to the host St. Henry Crusaders to finish its season. The games took place Sunday because St. Henry is also playing host to the 9th Region volleyball tournament.

The Thoroughbreds have won three straight to improve to 6-9-5 overall and move to the 9th semifinals. Josh Hensley scored the game-winning goal 1:35 into overtime for NewCath. The two teams did not face each other in the regular season.

“We came out pretty flat in the first half,” said Mike McDonald, NewCath head coach. “I had a talk with the guys at halftime about it being a win or go-home regional. Take a look at the guys around you and don’t play for yourself. Play as a team. We played much better in the second half. We had to fight the wind. It was pretty bad.”

NewCath got off 13 shots to nine for Villa Madonna (10-10-1). Nathan Grosser made seven saves for the Thoroughbreds and Andy Piccirillo had six in net for the Blue Lightning.

All six wins for the Thoroughbreds have been shutouts. The return of Graham Heil at sweeper has been a huge help for NewCath. He’s been injured most of the season.

“We had to change our defense around a little bit,” said Josh Liles, NewCath senior. “We moved Graham Heil to sweeper and Jacob Hensley to outside back. We couldn’t put the ball in the net at first. But then, we got a good bounce by Jacob Hensley to win the game in overtime.”

The Thoroughbreds take on 2011 state runner-up Ryle (17-5-1) on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the region semifinals. Ryle beat NewCath, 4-0 on Aug. 28 in Union. Ryle knocked off Covington Catholic, 4-1 in the first game Sunday.

The final game Sunday saw two teams play hard. But things went St. Henry’s way.

Alec Nields scored the game-winning goal on a rebound for the Crusaders with 25:57 left in the game. The Crusaders (14-7-2) outshot the Bluebirds (10-9-2), 16-7 including 9-4 on goal. They face Boone County in the semifinals Tuesday.

“I think we played well,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “I asked them before the game to make sure they leave it on the field so they have no regrets. I believe they did. Sometimes, things don’t shake out the way you want them to.”

Highlands had several chances to tie the game. The Bluebirds received a free kick inside the box with 11:48 left in the game. But the shot went off the Crusader wall. They also received another free kick just outside the box with 1:07 left in the game but could not convert.

Highlands senior Ethan Schmits broke free down the right side with 4:04 left in the game. He appeared to be hit from behind, but nothing was called.

On a rainy evening, sophomore Nick Breslin made eight saves. Counterpart Kevin Cawley made four.

The Bluebirds graduate six seniors. They are Schmits, Christian Austin, Emerson Holladay, Franklin Graves, Michael Cirulli and Petr Carter.