Did the Highlands, NC Boys soccer teams advance to the 9th semifinals?

Allen Ramsey Photo. Highlands junior Noah Sellers (7) battles with Boone County's Dane Thamann (2) in the 9th Region quarterfinals on Tuesday. The Rebels won 1-0 ending the Bluebird season at 9-9-5 overall.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

They would not have minded to take the field one last time against each other.

But that will not happen. The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds pulled off a huge 6-0 win at Cooper in the 9th Region quarterfinals on Tuesday. But the Boone County Rebels edged the host Highlands Bluebirds, 1-0.

Highlands and NewCath battled in a classic 9th Region title barnburner at Ryle last year that the Bluebirds won 1-0 en route to a state quarterfinal appearance. The Bluebirds also beat the Thoroughbreds, 1-0 during the regular season and 2-1 a week ago in the 36th District championship on penalty kicks.

NewCath (12-7-3) takes on Covington Catholic in the 9th Region semifinals on Thursday at 6 p.m. Boone County (8-8-5) battles St. Henry in the other semifinal at 8 p.m. The region semifinals and title game take place at Tower Park.

The Thoroughbreds led 2-0 at halftime before exploding for four goals in the second half. Patrick Louis led NewCath with a hat trick of three goals. Logan Muck, Andrew Liles and Brian Anderson had the other three.

“We worked all week on moving the ball,” said Mike McDonald, NewCath Head Coach. “We played the ball outside and the numbers worked in our favor.”

Senior goalkeeper Paul Grosser also had another good game for NewCath. He recorded four saves.

Highlands (9-9-5) had numerous chances to score against Boone County but could not put one home. Mark Baron had a shot deflected by Rebel goalkeeper Brendan Benjamin and Colton Wagoner had a hard shot deflected on a free kick that Benjamin deflected.

“Northern Kentucky is a crazy, talented area for soccer,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands Head Coach. “The boys laid it on the line. It did not shake in our favor. But I’m proud of them. They work hard on giving a solid effort for 80 minutes and I believe that.”

Highlands outshot Boone County, 15-12 including 5-3 on goal and had five corner kicks to none for the Rebels. But the Rebels made one of them count when Brett Mayberry scored with 6:52 left. In his final game, senior goalkeeper Nick Breslin recorded one save while Benjamin had five.

Highlands had nine fouls to seven for Boone County. The Rebels also recorded three yellow cards to one for the Bluebirds.

Highlands graduates eight seniors. They are Breslin, Adam Barbro, Brady Dean, Dakota Tate, Devin Dupont, Eric Schurr, Logan Groneck and Vadim Lightner.

The Bluebirds battled back to .500 after a rough start of the season. They were 0-6-3 after nine games.

“We started the season slow,” Winkler said. “We started to come together, work really well and went on a nice run the second half of the season. We had some high points in the season beating CovCath and NewCath.”

Volleyball:

Highlands, NewCath to meet for 36th crown:

The Thoroughbreds (15-12) and Ladybirds (17-16) will meet in the district championship at 7 p.m. at Bellevue on Wednesday.

Both won their semifinal contests on Tuesday. Highlands took care of Bellevue, 3-0 (25-9, 25-17, 25-8) and NewCath beat Dayton, 3-0 (25-5, 25-7, 25-10).