By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
On a memorable night at Tower Park on Tuesday, the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team took down the nearby Cincinnati Anderson Redskins, 6-1.
Both teams used the game to raise funds for to offset medical costs for the family of Highlands junior Clay Frink. Frink was hit by a car in July.
"The whole idea came from Anderson," said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. "Both teams ran with it. It was a good night."
Everyone involved at the game wore a special jersey. The Anderson players wore orange jerseys and the Highlands players wore blue jerseys. The goalkeepers wore red jerseys and the coaches wore gray jerseys. Highlands sold white jerseys to the public.
The Bluebirds ended a three-game winless streak in the process moving to 6-4-1 scoring four goals in the second half. They'd gone 0-2-1 since beating Boone County, 1-0 on Aug. 28.
Cole Davis-Roberts and Ethan Schmits led Highlands with two goals each. Devin Dupont and Franklin Graves scored the other two goals. Michael Cirulli added three assists with Andrew Barnes and Jordan Jarvis adding one each.
"We executed better in the second half," Winkler said. "We got things under control then. Our work rate was higher. We were able to pass through the midfield."
On the other end, Anderson got off just four shots. Highlands goalkeeper Nick Breslin made three saves.
The Bluebirds play again Thursday. They take on Villa Madonna at 5 p.m.
Highlands volleyball loses at Campbell County:
In a battle of two teams trying to get above .500, host Campbell County downed Highlands in volleyball action Tuesday.
The Lady Camels won 3-1 (25-16, 16-25, 25-8, 25-20) to move to 9-8 overall and drop the Ladybirds to 8-9. Highlands has lost two in a row.
Setter Kaitlin Hall led Highlands with 18 assists and Jessica Ginter led the Ladybirds with six kills. Highlands had three other leaders in Katie Van Curen with 16 digs, Mallory Seidel with two blocks, and Frances Tracy with six aces.
Highlands plays host to Covington Holy Cross on Thursday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Assumption shuts out Ladybirds soccer in Lexington Catholic Challenge Cup:
The Louisville Assumption Lady Rockets shut out the Highlands Ladybirds, 4-0 on Tuesday to open the Lexington Catholic Challenge Cup.
Highlands dropped to 2-6-2 and Assumption improved to 9-1-2. The Lady Rockets entered the year as the top-ranked team in Kentucky and have just one loss to Lexington Catholic.
"This is the best team we've played so far," said Tommy Kearns, Highlands head coach. "They're very solid at every position."
Highlands continues to struggle offensively. This marks the sixth time they've not scored in 10 contests. The Ladybirds have just seven goals all season.
Highlands held tight for the first 30 minutes of the game before Assumption scored with nine, four and three minutes left in the half. The Lady Rockets scored once in the second half.
Jesse Daley and Sarah Owen once again split halves at goalkeeper. Daley had five saves in the first half and Owen two in the second half.
Highlands continues in the tournament tonight at 8 p.m. The Ladybirds battle Woodford County.
NCC volleyball takes down Bishop Brossart:
The Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds downed old Region 10 rival Bishop Brossart, 3-1 (25-14, 25-16, 20-25, 25-12)
Tuesday.
NewCath improved to 6-13 with the tougher schedule. Brossart fell to 10-3.
Nikki Kiernan had 18 kills and four blocks to lead NewCath. Alyssa Maier followed with 41 assists and Senior Maria Froendhoff had 23 digs and six aces.
The Lady Breds take on Holmes at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
NCC Soccer ties Boone County:
The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds put up some goals in Florence but could not pull out the win.
The Thoroughbreds are 1-5-2 overall. The Rebels are 7-3-1.
Matt Tolle scored two goals for NCC with Conner Heneken and Josh Liles scoring one each. Nathan Grosser had five saves at goal.
NewCath plays again Thursdat at Calvary Christian. Game time is 5 p.m.
