Monday Highlands Sports Notes

Bluebirds Earn Fifth Straight Win over Thoroughbreds

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Lindsey Meyer (10) approaches Newport Central Catholic goalkeeper Kacy Zimmerman on Monday in 36th District play. Highlands won 3-0.

It has been clear from the beginning the waves will come and come and come.

Head Coach Alex Dean said the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team wants to continuously put pressure on the opponents hoping to capitalize on mistakes. It worked out well for the second game as the Bluebirds (2-0 overall) downed the rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds (1-1) by a 3-0 count at Tower Park on Monday in 36th District action.

Highlands has won five straight over NewCath. The last time the Thoroughbreds beat the Bluebirds came by a 2-1 count in the district championship on Oct. 15, 2015 at Tower Park.

The constant pressure allowed the majority of the game to be played on the NewCath side of the field. Highlands pulled off 22 shots including seven on goal to just three shots with two on goal for the Thoroughbreds. Highlands junior goalkeeper Maggie Hinegardner recorded two saves and Thoroughbred senior goalkeeper Kacy Zimmerman had four.

"So far, it's been working out pretty well," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "I think a lot of it is the conditioning that we've been working on and if we're conditioned, we're able to apply that pressure and sometimes, opponents make mistakes and we're going to capitalize. We're going to keep doing that all year."

Highlands led 1-0 at halftime for the second straight game. The goal came just 10:43 into the game when senior Lindsey Meyer booted one to the left side that sophomore Kenzie Nehus headed in for the goal.

NewCath could have tied the game with 19:39 left in the first half. Freshman Rylee Turner had a wide-open shot, but it sailed wide right.

Highlands scored twice in the second half to put the game away. Following a nice throw-in from senior defender Hannah Hartman, Meyer found the ball and scored her first goal of the season with 17:26 left in the game.

"The coaches always tell us to play with speed and connect the ball," Hartman said. "It works so we keep doing it. It was an awesome goal."

The next goal came with 15:01 left in the game. A scramble in the box left a NewCath defender down. But the whistle did not stop and junior Maria Broering put her first goal of the year home to make the final score of 3-0. Meyer added another assist on that play bringing her total for the year to a team-high five points on a goal and three assists.

The balanced scoring has shown in the first two games for Highlands. A different player has scored each of the eight Bluebird goals.

"We've opened our eyes and we've switched the field a lot better," said Jordan Halpin, Highlands junior forward. "We've made smarter passes. Eventually, that's going to lead to more shots and more wins so we're hoping to do more of that as the year goes on."

There was some usual physical play. Both teams had six fouls and Highlands had two yellow cards. NewCath took the lone corner kick of the game.

"That's probably the toughest thing to get ready for, especially in the pregame," Dean said of managing the emotions of the rivalry. "You're telling them to be pumped up, but not too pumped up where you're doing certain things that will get you in trouble. It's one night. It's 80 minutes. After that, it's kind of a clean slate."

Highlands travels to Newport on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Golf, Girls:
Another Match Cancelled:

Highlands had a dual match scheduled against Bishop Brossart at Twin Bridges Golf Course. It was cancelled. Highlands takes on Scott at AJ Jolly Golf Course in Alexandria onWednesday. Tee time is 3:30 p.m.

Football, Junior Varsity:
Highlands 62, Cooper 0:

The Bluebirds started the season with a convincing win at Cecil Memorial Stadium. The game was moved from Saturday because Cooper's grass field was not ready for play. Highlands led 46-0 at halftime.

Sophomore running back Joe Buten and junior wide receiver Ethan Houze had touchdowns for Highlands. Junior quarterback Collin Hollingsworth threw to Houze a couple times for the score. Junior Sawyer Depp had an interception return for a score.

Highlands takes on Campbell County on Saturday. Game time is 10 a.m.