Highlands soccer falls 3-1 against top-ranked team

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands defenders Alex Shepherd (left) and Jimmy Penrod (right) go upfield along with Lexington Paul Dunbar's Riley Calhoun (middle) and teammate Mitch Gesenhues (15) in Saturday's state quarterfinal game at Lexington Henry Clay. Highlands lost 3-1 in its third appearance in school history in the state quarterfinals.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

LEXINGTON – They had nothing to lose at this point.

The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team came into this state quarterfinal game as the underdog to the top-ranked Lexington Paul Lawrence Dunbar Bulldogs. The Bluebirds gave a great effort in a 3-1 loss Saturday at Henry Clay on a turf field. Dunbar controlled the ball most of the game earning 16 shots on goal to three for Highlands.

Highlands, NewCath renew soccer rivalry Saturday

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

This matchup used to have plenty of implications for the old 19th District Tournament.

But the Kentucky High School Athletic Association shuffled around the districts making them similar to the basketball districts. Thus, the Highlands Bluebirds and Newport Central Catholic men’s soccer teams will battle each other mostly for pride during Saturday’s regular season matchup and for Ninth Region seedings in the District 36 championship game. District rivals Bellevue, Dayton and Newport do not field men’s soccer squads.

Highlands and NewCath battled Campbell County and Bishop Brossart to get to the 10th Region tournament in the old 19th District. Highlands eliminated NewCath in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006 and 2005 in the 19th semifinals.

Last year, Highlands won the regular-season meeting 3-1. But NewCath won the District Tournament and beat Covington Catholic to win the 10th Region title before losing 1-0 at Montgomery County in the first round of the state tournament.

NewCath eliminated Highlands, 1-0 in the 19th semifinals in 2004. Since then, it has been all Highlands. The Bluebirds are 10-0-2 against their rivals just two miles down the road during that time frame.

Both teams need a win in big ways. The Bluebirds are just 1-4-2 in their last seven games since starting the season 5-2, including big wins over Boone County and St. Henry. The Bluebirds are 6-6-2 overall.

“The season is going well,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “Sure, there are games that I think we should have won. Rebuilding each year is always a challenge and it takes time to find the right mix for everyone. Someone that might play center-mid in club might play defense in high school. I enjoy the group of guys that we have this year and hope that they continue to work hard. We both have high goals for the season and we intend to give it our best to meet these goals.”