Bluebirds aim for faster start

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Ben Seiter (19) plays the ball in the 36th District championship game against Newport Central Catholic last year. Seiter is one of nine seniors listed on the squad.

It is not just the ultimate goal of the Highlands Bluebirds, but every boys soccer team in Northern Kentucky.

Highlands soccer wins fourth straight

 

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands goalkeeper Nick Breslin (orange) dives to his right to make a save in Saturday's game against Henderson County at Ryle. Breslin made four saves as the Bluebirds won their fourth in a row to improve to 6-3-1 on the season.

 

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

UNION – Things have been clicking lately for the Highlands Bluebirds boys soccer team.

Highlands won its fourth in a row Saturday at Ryle with a 4-3 win over the Henderson County Colonels from the western Kentucky 2nd Region, 6th District. The Bluebirds moved to 6-3-1 after starting the year 2-3-1 and Henderson County fell to 5-4-2.

“They’re coming together,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “We’re not where we want to be yet. We’re in a good spot halfway through the season. But there’s lot of soccer left to be played and lots of fine-tuning to be done before districts and regionals.”

Henderson County outshot Highlands, 7-6. But the teams made the most of their opportunities. Bluebird goalkeeper Nick Breslin made four saves and Colonel goalkeeper Jacob Stauffer made two.

Highlands has played Breslin for one half and Nathan Tippenhauer at goalkeeper for another half at times this year. But Breslin played the whole game against the Colonels.

Highlands jumped out to a 3-0 lead at halftime against the Henderson County 4-2-3 (defender-midfielder-forward) scheme. Chris Garbig and Cole Davis-Roberts scored goals and the Colonels had an own goal.

“We’re playing really good defense,” said Mitch Gesenhues, Highlands senior. “We’re containing opponents, making good runs and playing balls through (the opposing box) quickly.”

But things changed in the second half. Henderson County junior forward Nicholas Gregory found some holes in the Bluebird 4-5-1 defense and hit the back of the net three times to tie the game at 3-3.

“(Gregory) got through a couple times,” Breslin said. “It was a tight game. I think we’re going to have a lot of great success after this win.”

But the Bluebirds responded with the game-winner. Andrew Barnes scored it.

“I just told the guys we’re very dangerous when we play a full 80 minutes,” Winkler said. “When we relax, we lose our focus and our discipline. Those are things we’ve worked on all season.”

Highlands returns to action Tuesday at Simon Kenton. Game time is 8 p.m.

Henderson County did have several chances to tie the game in the final 20 minutes. Breslin dove to his right to save one and Gregory earned a free kick with 49 seconds left in the game, but Breslin saved it as well.

Winkler also said Highlands will most likely travel to Covington Catholic on Thursday at 4 p.m. The game was originally schedule on Sept. 10, but was postponed because of the heat index that saw temperatures reach the 90s.

Highlands edges NCC, 2-1 in another classic

G. Michael Graham Photo. Members of the Highlands and Newport Central Catholic soccer teams get in position for a corner kick in Tuesday's game. The Bluebirds won 2-1 in the season opener for both teams.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

Close soccer games often come down to two things.

That is either a well-executed run-out or the opponent not stepping forward to clear the ball in its defensive box. The Highlands Bluebirds ended up doing the extra things to beat their 36th District rival Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds, 2-1 on Tuesday at Tower Park.

Highlands continued to dominate the series between the two schools about two miles apart. The Bluebirds improved to 12-1-2 against the Thoroughbreds since 2004. NewCath’s lone win during that stretch came 1-0 in the district championship game last year.

“We absolutely hope that (momentum) carries on,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “It was a fantastic crowd. Playing NC, it’s always a big game. It’s kind of one of those scary situations where if we drop off, it could hurt us really bad. If we keep this momentum, we could do well the rest of the week.”

NewCath outshot Highlands, 10-6. But Highlands goalkeepers Nick Breslin and Nathan Tippenhauer recorded three and five saves in the first and second halves respectively. They also had plenty of help from their teammates in clearing balls, especially late in the game.

“It’s a matter of positioning yourself with other defenders to make sure one person is covering the back,” said Devin Dupont, Highands junior. “We need to move as a unit and keep together as a team. We can’t do anything stupid in the box.”

Thoroughbred goalkeeper Paul Grosser also had a good game. The junior recorded four saves.

“I expected a tight game,” said Mike McDonald, NewCath head coach. “We have some things to work on. You get the first game of the season out of the way. We learn and we move on. Defensively in the center of the field, we lost our marks.”

Highlands scored both of its goals from 40 yards out. The first one came with 1:38 left in the first half. Cole Davis-Roberts drew a foul outside the box and scored on the free kick. Davis-Roberts also drew a penalty kick opportunity with 11:10 left in the game, but Grosser slid to his left to deflect the shot away.

The Bluebirds added to their 1-0 halftime lead just 4:33 into the second half. Chris Garbig also scored from about 40 yards out to put Highlands up 2-0.

“I took a touch forward, looked up and the far (right) post was wide open. I took the opportunity,” Garbig said. “You have to strike (the ball) as clean as possible and make sure the laces are coming through the ball and stay over it making sure you keep it low.”

Winkler and staff said they would love to see more shots like that. Garbig and Davis-Roberts play big scoring roles in Highlands’ 4-4-2 and 3-5-1 (defender-midifielder-forward) attacks.

“Chris (Garbig) and Cole (Davis-Roberts) are really talented,” Winkler said. “They have really good confidence behind the ball. When they see the keeper is off his line or off to the side, I’m okay with them taking that risk (of long shots). Two of them paid off for us.”

The Thoroughbreds then scored their only goal eight seconds later. Senior midfielder Connor Hanneken put one in for NewCath. The Thoroughbreds run a 4-4-2 attack.

“We just have to take advantage of our opportunities,” McDonald said. “We haven’t had a prolific scorer since Austin (Juniet, a 2012 NC graduate). We have a couple guys who are mature enough to do it. It was not for a lack of effort. It was for a lack of good play.”

Both teams return to action Thursday. Highlands plays host to St. Henry at 8 p.m. and NewCath plays host to Conner at 6 p.m.

Bluebirds aim for better finish to season

 

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.

Highands blanks Calvary Christian, 3-0

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

For the second straight game, the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team put a team away.

The Bluebirds scored two goals in the second half to down the visiting Calvary Christian Cougars, 3-0 Tuesday at Tower Park. They’ve won two in a row to move to 8-6-1. This comes after a 1-4-1 stretch after starting the year 5-2.

“We’re just trying to instill good values in them that when you get a lead, let’s be comfortable with that lead,” said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. “We need to get our risk-taking to a normal level. If it’s a 3-0 or 2-0 win, it’s okay. They’re good wins against a quality team.”

Calvary fell to 6-5-1. The Cougars tied Dixie Heights on Sept. 15.

This marked the fifth shutout of the year for Highlands. Goalkeeper Nick Breslin stopped all six Cougar shots and received nice help from defenders like Jimmy Penrod and Alex Shepherd. One Calvary shot hit the top bar.

“(The Cougars) were just like us,” Breslin said. “They had a lot of talent up top. Our defense stuck together and fought through that 3-0 win. They had some unlucky shots. But our defense did well overall.”

Highlands managed nine shots. Calvary goalkeeper Dilan Grote stopped six of them.

The Bluebirds scored the only goal of the first half with 10:32 remaining. Andrew Barnes saved the ball from going out near the goal and passed back to Christian Austin. Austin landed the shot to Grote’s right for the score.

“We seem to come out flat sometimes,” Barnes said. “It seems like when we get a goal, we pick it up. It makes us comfortable. It gives us hope even though we should have it in the beginning.”

The first goal of the second half came with 24:06. Grote fouled Emerson Holladay in the box. Holladay nailed the penalty kick passed Calvary’s Kipp Barnes. Grote had to come out of the game for the penalty kick because he committed the hard foul drawing a yellow card.

Highlands added an insurance goal with 21:09 remaining. Franklin Graves scored for the Bluebirds.

It was a physical game. Calvary drew three yellow cards to none for Highlands.

“I’m a former referee and they know that,” Winkler said. “I still have a good (relationship) with the guys that work (our games) so tell the guys it’s my job to deal with it if there’s a call that’s controversial. They just need to be out there playing soccer.”

Highlands faces Covington Catholic on Thursday at 8 p.m. back at Tower Park.