G. Michael Graham Photo. The Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team prepares to take the field during a recent practice. The Bluebirds hope to improve on last season's 10-9-1 record.
By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
Last year,
Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer Head Coach Matthew Winkler said teams need to
be playing their best soccer to go far in the postseason.
The
Bluebirds appeared to be doing that as postseason approached. They recorded
four straight shutouts outscoring the opposition by a combined 12-0.
But things
quickly turned starting with a 2-0 loss to the 2011 state runner-up Ryle
Raiders. That followed with 1-0 postseason losses to the rival Newport Central
Catholic Thoroughbreds in the 36th District championship and to host St. Henry
in the 9th Region quarterfinals. Highlands finished the season 10-9-1 as a
result.
The
Bluebirds did graduate a nice group of seniors from that team including leading
goal-scorer Ethan Schmits with eight and assists leader Michael Cirulli with
six. But they do return some experienced players determined to do better when
the postseason comes around this year.
“There is a lot of determination here,” Winkler said. “It’s
a lot of luck. But on any given day, teams can show up and win. The regular
season is used to prepare for the postseason.”
Highlands
outscored the opposition, 44-25 last year. The Bluebirds recorded seven
shutouts including a 1-0 decision over eventual 9th Region champion and state
semifinalist Boone County and were shut out as many times.
The
Bluebirds like to run a mixture of 4-4-2 and 3-5-1
(defender-midfielder-forward) sets. They list 10 seniors and eight juniors
battling for spots.
“We lost a lot of seniors so we’re putting a lot of
guys in new positions,” Winkler said.
“We’re working that out. We had a
scrimmage last week and did some good things and bad things. We want to get
stronger on defense and our offense will come.”
Two of the
returning players are senior midfielder Chris Garbig and senior defender Cole
Davis-Roberts. The other seniors are Alex Shepherd, Andre Barnes, Colin Dean,
Jimmy Penrod, Jordan Jarvis, Jovid Llerena, Mitch Gesenhues and Nathan
Tippenhauer.
“It’s about communication and trusting each other,” Davis-Roberts said. “We have to make sure everyone is working along on the same page. Every
day is a process. We have to focus and get better every day.”
Junior Nick
Breslin returns at goalkeeper for the Bluebirds. But Tippenhauer is battling
for time there. The other juniors are Adam Barbro, Brady Dean, Dakota Tate,
Devin Dupont, Eric Schurr, Logan Groneck and Vadim Lightner. Dupont tied for
second on the team with six goals last year.
The
Bluebirds again field three teams this year. The junior varsity team coached by
Neal Frink is mostly made of sophomores and the freshmen team coached by
Michael Eaton is coached by Michael Eaton. Dave Kraus serves as a varsity
assistant.
Highlands
boasts an overall record of 348-201-32 since the program in school history. The
Bluebirds own 15 district championships, four region championships and finished
state runner-up to Louisville St. Xavier in 2008.
Highlands
opens the season on Aug. 20 against Newport Central Catholic. Game time is 8
p.m.
