Saturday Highlands Results

Highlands Sophomore Wins Cross Country Race

Highlands sophomore Malcolm Robertson won the Panda Classic on Saturday in 18 minutes, 10.97 seconds. That marked the first boys cross country varsity race win of his career.

Highlands sophomore Malcolm Robertson captured his first varsity title winning the Panda Classic at Notre Dame in 18 minutes, 10.97 seconds.

"I took the lead after a half mile and slowly increased my lead until I was in control of the race and never looked back from there," Robertson said. "It feels good to start the season off right with a win and is a big confidence booster showing that my work has paid off."

Highlands took second in the boys race with 51 points. Villa Madonna won it with 42. The other scorers for the Bluebirds were junior Sam Hopper in 19:25.6, sophomore Owen McCain in 19:47.37, senior Thomas Gray-Torsell in 19:56.03 and junior John Laskey in 20:33.87.

"(Robertson) ran a smart race. He's been doing a lot of miles," said Brian Alessandro, Highlands Head Coach. "He's been training hard the last year. I think he's currently hitting 50 miles per week."

The Highlands girls did not field a full team for the race. Four ran in the race. Junior Eden Brumer led the way finishing eighth out of 37 runners in 24:16.26.

The Bluebirds next run in the Moeller Invitational on Friday. The races take place in Mason (Ohio).

Soccer, Girls:

Highlands 4, Assumption 2:

The Bluebirds (2-0) had not played in nine days. But they pulled away for the road win over the Rockets (3-1).

"We played okay in the first half," said Chris Norris, Highlands Head Coach. "But we were kind of playing (Assumption's) style. When we came out in the second half, we really focused on getting the ball to feet, having fun, making short passes, quick off the ball movements and it changed the flow of the game completely. We really had the majority of the possession in the second half and it was probably the most fun half of soccer we've seen this season for sure. The girls were smiling. Passes were being made left and right. They worked hard all week and it really paid off."

Senior midfielder Faith Broering led the way scoring two goals. Broering has a team-high three goals and six points on the season.

Highlands played at 11:30 a.m. in the middle of the day in 90 degree heat. Broering said that club teams play at those times all the time.

"I am incredibly proud of my teammates for the way the showed up for the game," Broering said. "Everybody played for each other. The heat was definitely an obstacle. But I think everyone was there mentally and physically ready to play in it and we came out hydrated."

Sophomore forwards Claire Cavacini and Laney Smith had one goal and one assist each and senior defender Jade Rehberger had the other assist. Cavacini has two goals and one assist on the season for five points. Rehberger has a team-high three assists and Smith recorded her first goal and assist on the season.

Highlands does not play again until hitting the road to face Lexington Lafayette (3-1-1). Game time is 7 p.m.

Soccer, Boys:

Highlands 2, Louisville Collegiate 2:

The Bluebirds (2-1-1) tied the Titans (2-0-1) in the Northern Kentucky Soccer Showcase at Ryle.

"We had some good opportunities. We knew it would be a tough test," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "Our guys had some growing pains and some things to work on after our (2-1 win) at St. Henry. We did a lot better in keeping possession and trying to build up."

Highlands had eight shots with four on goal. The Bluebirds had two offsides calls, seven fouls, one corner kick and one yellow card. Junior goalkeeper Connor Mathis had two saves.

Junior Colin Pieper had and senior Cole Lorenzen had the Highlands goals. Senior Joel Kendall and Jordan Frisk had assists. Pieper leads Highlands with two goals with Frisk tied for the team lead with two assists.

Highlands takes on Bishop Brossart (2-3) in Fort Thomas on Tuesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.