Highlands Boys Soccer Defeats Holy Cross

Bluebirds Move to 4-0 in Region Play

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands boys soccer team knocked off Holy Cross, 5-3 on Tuesday at Tower Park.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team (5-2-1 overall) stayed undefeated in 9th Region action with a 5-3 win over the Covington Holy Cross Indians (4-4) on Tuesday.

Highlands is 4-0 in region play and also moved to 5-0 in games not played on Saturdays. The Bluebirds had 14 shots to nine for the Indians. Highlands also had 14 fouls and four corner kicks.

"In the first 10 minutes and the last 10 minutes of the first half, we just weren't doing the little things right. We were getting outworked and all that," said Chad Niedert, Highlands Head Coach. "Then we had this run in the middle of the first half where we scored our stretch of four goals. We did some things sharper like set pieces. They were very nice goals. We played how we should have been playing the whole game in that second half. Now we have to come with that same physicality and energy game in and game out."

Junior goalkeeper Connor Mathis and sophomore Jack Wilson again split halves for the Bluebirds. Mathis had two saves and Wilson had four.

Highlands led 4-3 at halftime. Senior Joel Kendall played one to sophomore Chad Gesenhues for an insurance goal for the lone goal of the second half for the Bluebirds. Gesenhues has four goals and Kendall two assists on the season. Gesenhues added his first assist of the season for three points.

Senior Jordan Frisk led Highlands with two goals and an assist for five points. Frisk has a team-high three goals and four assists on the season for 10 points.

Junior Caden Schroeder had one goal and one assist for three points. Schroeder has two goals and two assists on the season for six points.

"I believe as a team our passing greatly developed in that game and I hope we can keep improving as a team," Schroeder said. "If we can keep on improving, I think we will have a very good run this season."

Senior Sam Jones had the other Highlands goal and junior Colin Pieper had an assist. That marked the first goal for Jones and Pieper first assist. Pieper has a team-highs of five goals and 11 points.

Highlands travels to Cooper on Thursday. Game time is 8 p.m.