Lady Breds stay undefeated with win over Ladybirds

Allen Ramsey Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Loren Zimmerman (15) plays the ball in Friday's game against Highlands at Tower Park. Zimmerman recorded her school record 28th career assist in NewCath's 2-1 victory.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Taylor Vaughn (center) passes the ball in Friday's game at Tower Park. Vaughn had an assist on Highlands' only goal.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The first half belonged to the Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds while the second one belonged to the host Highlands Ladybirds on Friday at Tower Park.

But in this case, NewCath’s better half stood up in a 2-1 36th District win. The Lady Breds stayed undefeated at 8-0 after withstanding a number of Highlands chances to tie the game in the final two minutes.

“The team chemistry is great,” said Kevin Turnick, NewCath Head Coach. “It’s a mixture of seniors through freshmen who contribute. They all get along really well. That’s been a big part of our success these last couple years. It gives you that extra lift.”

Highlands fell to 3-6 on the year with its second loss in as many days. The Ladybirds have dropped five one-goal games this year.

Taylor Tolle scored both NewCath goals. They came in the first half as the Lady Breds took a 2-0 advantage into halftime.

“If you look at the buildups on the goals, they won the battle in the middle in the first half,” said Brian Wiefering, Highlands Head Coach. “We weren’t marking in the middle. Our girls decided they weren’t going to talk to each other so there was always someone open in the middle who was distributing the ball well. Then you have someone like Taylor Tolle who finishes well.”

Tolle scored her first goal just 20 seconds into the game. Senior Loren Zimmerman recorded a long throw-in that Tolle punched into the net.

“In the beginning of the game, it just brings everyone together and shows the intensity from the start of what we can bring to the table,” Zimmerman said. “Everyone can get better at some point. We’re hoping we all come together and get done what we need done.”

That marked career assist number 28 for Zimmerman. She added to the school record for most assists in a career.

“Obviously, I did not do something right because the girls came out flat,” Wiefering said. “The last thing we told them before we took the field was to be ready for the long throw from Loren Zimmerman. They came out and played with heart in the second half. In the first half, I didn’t see it.”

Tolle’s second goal came with about a minute left in the first half. It came on an odd rush after a Highlands turnover.

The Ladybirds scored their only goal just about five minutes into the second half. Kayla Nehus turned near the out-of-bounds line to the right of the goal and made a nice pass to Taylor Vaughn for the score.

Highlands outshot NewCath, 9-5. The Ladybirds even had seven corner kicks to four for the Lady Breds. NewCath goalkeeper Meg Martin had five assists and Highlands goalkeeper Olivia McQueary had two.

“In the first five minutes of the second half, we marked terribly,” Turnick said. “In the last five minutes, we withstood everything they gave us. That was a matter of us not clearing the ball and being able to keep possession. We got lucky at times so that needs to improve and then.”

The game was clean. Neither team received any yellow or red cards.

NewCath plays St. Henry on Monday at 6 p.m. Highlands plays in the Lexington Catholic Invitational starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Louisville Assumption.