Ladybirds Edge Lady Colonels, 1-0

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Gwen Gorman makes a move in the season-opening win over Dixie Heights on Monday.

The goal did not come until 4:07 remained in the game.

But the Highlands Ladybirds soccer team played nice defense until that point in a 1-0 season opening win over the Dixie Heights Lady Colonels on Monday at Tower Park.

Highlands drew a foul outside the 18-foot box. Sophomore Parker Price put it over the Dixie Heights wall and sophomore Maria Wiefering scored.

"I told them the most important number would be seeing the zero," said Brian Wiefering, Highlands Head Coach. "If you have a zero on the end then you'll find a way to put one in. That's what they did. We had a lot of very, very good opportunities that we just didn't finish in the first half."

The Ladybirds outshot the Lady Colonels, 19-5. Highlands senior goalkeeper Olivia McQueary stopped all five Dixie Heights shots.

"It was very important for us to play well because Dixie likes to counter attack quickly when they get the ball so it was important to us to be on our toes the entire game," said Sophie Steppe, Highlands senior defender. "It just shows we were able to execute what we've been practicing covering for each other."

The three Highlands teams outscored Dixie Heights by 15 a year ago. But Coach Wiefering credited Dixie Heights Head Coach Chris Strum for turning around the Lady Colonel program. The freshmen and junior varsity teams tied 0-0.

"They reminded me of us with their defensive strategies," Coach Wiefering said. "They weren't just packing it in and hoping for a tie. They were coming out and trying to put some pressure on us. I think they're going to surprise people this year."

Highlands plays at another 34th District opponent on Wednesday. The Ladybirds travel to St. Henry for an 8 p.m. contest.

Golf, Boys:
Bishop Brossart 172, Highlands 177:

Highlands seventh-grader Joel Craft took medalist honors in the match at Highland Country Club. Highlands fell to 1-1 overall.

Highlands takes on Beechwood on Wednesday at Summit Hills Country Club.