Tuesday Roundup: Highlands, Brossart tie 1-1

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Vadim Lightner (left) goes up for the ball in Tuesday's game against Bishop Brossart. The teams tied 1-1.

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands senior Lauren Maines (26) passes to the front row in Tuesday's game at Dixie Heights. The Ladybirds won their third straight to move to 3-3 on the season.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The record of 0-4-2 does not look good.

But that does not mean the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team is going to mail in the season. The Bluebirds are battling adversity now with several key players injured.

They’ve been outscored, 16-4 on the season with half their goals coming in the season-opening 2-2 tie against Scott. Highlands recorded its second tie of the season, 1-1 against the Bishop Brossart Mustangs. That snapped a four-game losing streak where Highlands scored just once.

“We’re digging deep right now,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands Head Coach. “We’re pulling talent from all over right now trying to put the best club that we can on the field. Each game is a learning experience. We’ll take the experience from that and move forward.”

Both teams had their chances to score more than one goal. The Mustangs outshot the Bluebirds, 8-6 including 4-3 on goal. Highlands senior goalkeeper Nick Breslin recorded three saves and Brossart goalkeeper Jeff Paulin had two.

Neither team scored in the first half. But Colton Wagoner hit Logan Groneck for the score with 29:22 left in the second half.

“In high-caliber game like this, you have to take every opportunity you’re given,” Winkler said. “When you play a quality opponent like Brossart, you don’t get a whole lot of looks. It was a great run right there. We had the right people at the right time.”

The Bluebirds held the lead for about 20 minutes. The Mustangs countered a Bluebird attack and Nick Deiring tied the game with 9:19 left in the game.

“Stuff like that happens,” Groneck said. “You just have to roll with that and come back the best you can. It’s rough. We hope to get some of the (injured players) back and start turning things around.”

Highlands travels to Cooper on Thursday. Game time is 8 p.m.

Soccer, Boys:

Newport Central Catholic 1, Boone County 1:

The Thoroughbreds (5-1-2) tied the Rebels in what will be a series of three games against 33rd District competition this week.

Seth Freppon scored the lone goal for the Thoroughbreds and goalkeeper Paul Grosser had five saves. NewCath has outscored the competition, 17-5 this season.

The Thoroughbreds play again Thursday at home against Ryle. Game time is 6:15 p.m.

Volleyball:

Highlands 3, Dixie Heights 0:

The Ladybirds (3-3) continued to roll with their most dominant win of the season over host Dixie Heights. The scores were 25-13, 25-19, 25-19.

The Ladybird dynamic duo of Jessica Ginter and Kaitlin Hall led the way with 10 digs each. Ginter had 14 kills and Hall had a team-high 30 assists. Maria Hockney followed with 1.5 blocks.

Highlands plays at Bishop Brossart on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m in Alexandria.

Newport Central Catholic 3, Covington Holy Cross 1:

The Thoroughbreds are 2-4 following a 25-19, 25-19, 23-25, 29-27 victory in Covington.

NewCath takes on Newport in 36th District action Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Soccer, Girls:

Highlands-Beechwood cancelled:

The Ladybirds (1-3) were to venture to Fort Mitchell. But heavy rains drenched the field forcing a cancellation.

Highlands plays at Simon Kenton on Thursday. Game time is 8 p.m.