9th Boys Soccer Title Game: Highlands edges NCC in barnburner

G. Michael Graham Photo. Highlands' Noah Sellers (Black jersey) and Newport Central Catholic's Seth Freppon (white jersey) chase the ball in Saturday's 9th Region title game while Jacob Hensley (12) and Jonathan Murrin (8) follow. The Bluebirds won the 9th Region title with the 1-0 overtime victory.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

UNION – The winner of the rubber match of this great boys soccer rivalry moved on to state, pure and simple.

That’s why it was an even more intense, physical game you’d expect between two teams fighting to keep their seasons alive. In the end, the Highlands Bluebirds pulled out the 1-0 overtime win over the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds to claim the 9th Region Championship on Saturday at Ryle.

Highlands senior and tournament most valuable player Mitch Gesenhues scored the game’s lone goal about a minute into overtime. Fellow senior Cole Davis-Roberts booted a free kick into the attacking zone. The ball rolled to the left of the goal where Gesenhues booted it past Newport Central Catholic goalkeeper Paul Grosser setting off a huge Highlands celebration and leaving the NewCath players stunned.

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.