Bluebirds Tie Pandas |
| PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands Girls Soccer Head Coach Alex Dean goes over strategy during halftime of the game against Notre Dame. The teams tied 1-1. |
But the lightning on the field forced the game to end early. That meant the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team and the Notre Dame Pandas (1-0-1) had to settle for a 1-1 tie.
"It's really hard playing your rival the very first game of the year, but I think it's kind of a good thing," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "Leaving a big gap for if we do see them in the post-season, it's not, 'Oh, wait. We just saw them.' We have to adjust throughout the season. Things happen. We weren't worried about the score. Winning is always great. (But) it's making sure we're playing hard and we're out there trying to get a little more fit. We're a little slim on numbers. But we have faith in our girls. They all can play 80 minutes. Games like that will help us get to that."
The two teams have a combined five state championships and a history of meeting each other in region tournaments along the way. Highlands knocked off Notre Dame, 1-0 in the 9th Region championship last year on the way to a state runner-up finish. Notre Dame had won seven straight region crowns prior to that.
Both teams ended up taking six shots. Notre Dame had four on goal compared to three for Highlands. Highlands junior Jasmine Rehberger had three saves and Notre Dame junior goalkeeper Kate Moore had two.
Highlands spent most of the first 15 minutes on the attack. The Bluebirds drew several fouls and senior Louisville commit Lauren Deckert put a free kick home with 28:55 left in the first half. Deckert had another one with 3:46 left that Moore deflected over the crossbar.
"I think in our midfield, we're really good about moving into space and talking to each other, which is really good," said Natalie Ossege, Highlands senior midfielder. "That's how we stay connected. A lot of us are really experienced in the midfield so we know what we're doing. We make sure we're talking to each other and it makes it a lot easier."
Notre Dame scored the equalizer with 19:26 left in the first half. Highlands could not clear the ball and sophomore Eleanor Simkonis put it home.
Highlands did received two yellow cards in the game. Dean said he wants that cleaned up. But he did credit the younger players who had not played on varsity before for coming in and contributing well.
"It's about being smart," Dean said. "If somebody is shielding you, you can't be too aggressive and force them back. We'll work on that. The effort was great. It's just that when we get fatigued, we get a little silly sometimes."
Highlands did have several players out for the game. Senior goalkeeper Maggie Hinegardner said she's out for the season. Players like sophomore midfielder Faith Broering saw their first varsity action.
"Once we learn to play together, we're going to be unstoppable," said Greta Noble, Highlands junior defender. "We are really talented up front and in the back. We have some good young players and our senior class is really strong."
The Bluebirds travel to St. Henry on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Golf, Girls:
Match Cancelled:
Highlands had a match scheduled against Villa Madonna at Highland Country Club. But the high heat index forced the cancellation.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association requires the cancellation of outdoor activities if the heat index rises higher than 104 degrees. Indoor activities have to also be cancelled if air condition is not available.
Highlands had a game against Dixie Heights on Aug. 16 cancelled as well. The next match is Aug. 30 against Bishop Brossart at A.J. Jolly Golf Course. Match time is 3:30 p.m.
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