Ladybirds nip Lady Crusaders, 3-2

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands goalkeeper Olivia McQuery (left) gets ready to boot the ball away from the goal while Peyton Bankemper (7) gets in position. McQuery made six saves in the win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Highlands Ladybirds soccer team showed how far it has come in terms of mental toughness Monday.

Highlands found itself down by a goal at various points on the first half. But the Ladybirds came back to post a 3-2 win over the visiting St. Henry Lady Crusaders in the season opener for both teams at Tower Park.

“It’s great to see the girls play like that,” said Brian Weifering, first-year Highlands Head Coach. “A lot of that starts with the bench. We have 10 girls up on their feet the entire game. That’s what I was the most proud of.”

Highlands had not beaten St. Henry since 2011. The teams battled to a scoreless tie in their lone meeting last year.

Highlands sophomore defender Annie Schneider said the team chemistry helped out in the win and should be valuable throughout the season. The Ladybirds have at least five players representing the top three grades on the varsity roster.

“This team is just great. We all love each other,” Schneider said. “We’ve been with each other the entire summer. We just have bonded. We give each other positive attitudes.”

The game-winning goal came from an unlikely position in the middle back. Senior Lydia Graves put in a rebound with 1:39 left in the game.

“That means a lot because that’s what we’re looking for – to see our outside backs up high on the attack,” Wiefering said. “It’s tough to sell that to these girls. But them scoring like that is a way to sell it to them.”

It marked a good start to a tough week for the Ladybirds. They take on Lexington Catholic on Thursday at 7 p.m. and defending state champion Notre Dame on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Those games also take place at Tower Park.

St. Henry outshot Highlands, 9-8. In her varsity debut, Highlands freshman goalkeeper Olivia McQuery made six saves and Lady Crusader junior goalkeeper Abby Ziegelmeyer made five.

Neither team scored in the first half until Sydney Auteri made a nice move and put St. Henry on the board first with 14:36 left in the half. That lead lasted until 3:04 remained in the half.

Highlands sophomore made the most of its lone corner kick when sophomore Kayla Nehus made a perfect kick to junior Ellie Farley just to the left of the goal for the score. The teams entered halftime tied at 1-1.

“(Wiefering) always tells us we have three options – either get the ball and make a shot, get the ball and hit it out or get the ball and make a foul,” Farley said. “That’s all we were trying to do – get to the ball and crash on it.”

The Lady Crusaders did not take long to retake the lead just 6:20 into the second half. Kelsey Cline beat a few Highlands defenders to score with 33:40 left in the half.

Highland stayed composed and tied the game with 14:31 left in the half at 2-2. Senior Taylor Vaughn took a centering pass, made a great turn and scored.

Before Graves scored the game-winner, both teams missed excellent scoring opportunities. Highlands senior Allyson Bridewell drove to the right and put up a shot that Ziegelmeyer blocked before she stopped a rebound. A few minutes later, St. Henry had transition numbers but Victoria Silvati’s shot flew high over the goal.

Highlands dominated the junior varsity contest. The Ladybirds shut out the Lady Crusaders, 3-0.

Volleyball:

Beechwood 2, Newport Central Catholic 0:

For the second straight year, the Lady Tigers eliminated the Thoroughbreds from the All “A” Regional Tournament. Beechwood won 2-0 (25-23, 25-14).

The Lady Tigers also won 2-0 in last year’s tournament. But the Thoroughbreds came back and beat Beechwood, 3-0 in the 9th Region quarterfinals.

NewCath plays its first home match Thursday. The Thoroughbreds play host to Mother of Mercy (Ohio) at 5 p.m. before taking on Lexington Henry Clay.