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.

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.

Highlands soccer drops heartbreaker

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Highlands Bluebirds soccer team hopes to learn to finish games.
They've taken 1-0 leads in the final 20 minutes of the last two games and have not been able to keep them. The Scott Eagles scored twice in the game's final 11 minutes and 23 seconds to leave Tower Park with a 2-1 victory Saturday.
The Bluebirds (5-3-1 overall) also led 1-0 in Thursday's home game against Dixie Heights. But the Colonels tied it from about 35 to 40 yards out with about 18 minutes left in the game.
"They need to get to a point where they're comfortable with a 1-0 lead," said Matthew Winkler, Highlands head coach. "They then need to change their style to more of a game management type as opposed to, 'Let's try to get it 5-0.' A 1-0 win over a Scott team would be respectable. We hope to get that nailed before October (when the tournaments begin)."
The Eagles and Bluebirds have had some good games over the years. Scott beat Highlands in the Sub-Section 6 game, 3-1 in 2010.
The Bluebirds appeared to have tied the game with 2:24 remaining when Ethan Schmits scored on a corner kick. But the goal was waived off because Highlands shoved off in the box to create room for a header.
In net, Highlands goalkeeper Nick Breslin recorded three saves. He hit one over the crossbar in the second half.
Highlands travels to Alexandria on Tuesday for an 8 p.m. contest against old district rival Campbell County (0-5).

Thursday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team picked up a big victory in Alexandria on Thursday.
Highlands knocked off the Bishop Brossart Lady Mustangs, 3-2 (21-25, 25-13, 19-25, 25-20, 16-14). Highlands won its second straight to move to 4-5 overall and Bishop Brossart lost for the first time this season dropping to 9-1. The Lady Mustangs finished 24-13 last year and made it to the 10th Region semifinals.
Sophomore Jessica Ginter led Highlands with 17 kills and setter Kaitlin Hall had 44 assists and five aces. Teammate Katie Van Curen added 14 digs.
Highlands plays in the Varsity September Slam all day Saturday at Scott High. The Ladybirds open the day with a 10 a.m. contest against Simon Kenton (13-2). Highlands also faces host Scott at Noon, 2011 state runner-up Greenwood (outside Bowling Green) at 2 p.m. and Covington Holmes at 3 p.m.

Highlands Soccer ties Dixie Heights:
The Bluebirds could not follow up Tuesday's big win over Boone County with a bigger win.
Highlands tied the Dixie Heights Colonels, 1-1. Emerson Holladay scored the Bluebird goal in the first half to give Highlands a 1-0 halftime lead. But the Colonels (2-4-1) tied the game with about 18 minutes left in the game from about 35-40 yards out.
Nick Breslin had another good game in goal for the Bluebirds (4-2-1 overall) Thursday. He recorded seven saves.
Highlands takes on Scott (3-5) at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Lady Breds soccer bounces back:
The Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds soccer team too down visiting Villa Madonna, 5-0 on Thursday.
NewCath moved to 5-1 playing its third game in three days. The Lady Breds lost on penalty kicks to Bishop Brossart in the All "Ä" Region 9/10 Semifinals on Wednesday. Villa Madonna fell to 1-5.
Michela Ware scored two goals to lead NewCath with Sam Bunzel, Loren Zimmerman and Christina Seibert scoring one a piece. Courtney Hagedorn had two assists with Nikki Buller adding the other.
Lady Bred goalkeeper Erin Ackerson had to record just one save. This marked the third shutout of the year for NewCath.
The Lady Breds do not play again until Wednesday. They play host to Beechwood at 6 p.m.

NewCath volleyball drops home contest:
The Campbell County Lady Camels came to Newport on Thursday and beat the Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds, 3-0 (27-25, 25-22, 27-25).
NewCath fell to 4-8 and Campbell County improved to 6-7 under the guidance of first-year head coach Kimberlee Nemcek, who was a senior at Northern Kentucky University last year.
Nikki Kiernan and Abbie Lukens led NewCath with seven kills each. Teammate Alyssa Maier had 23 assists and Maria Froendhoff had 19 digs.
The Lady Breds do not play again until Thursday at 6 p.m. at home against Boone County.

Tuesday Sports Briefs

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter
The Highlands Bluebirds recorded a huge 1-0 victory over the Boone County Rebels on Tuesday at Tower Park.
The Rebels came into the game undefeated at 4-0. Highlands improved to 4-2 with the victory after going 1-2 in the Kentucky Cup at Louisville Ballard.
Bluebird senior Emerson Holladay scored the game's lone goal. Sophomore Nick Breslin recorded eight saves at goalkeeper for Highlands.
The Bluebirds take on Dixie Heights (2-4) at 8 p.m. Thursday.

Lady Breds stay undefeated:
The host Newport Central Catholic Lady Breds soccer team stayed undefeated at 4-0 with a convincing 9-0 win over Calvary Christian (1-1-2) on Tuesday to open the All Class A Ninth/10th Region Classic.
The Lady Breds saw Sam Bunzel lead the way with three goals and Chandler Cain score two. Teammates Michela Ware, Loren Zimmerman, Christina Seibert, and Emily Weyer all added goals. Bunzel, Seibert, Madison Little, Nikki Buller and Courtney Hagedorn all had assists.
Sophomore goalkeeper Erin Ackerson did not have to make any saves because Calvary got off no shots.
The Lady Breds take on Bishop Brossart (3-3) to continue the tournament. Game time is 6 p.m.

Ryle downs NewCath:
The Thoroughbreds soccer team continues to struggle in a 4-0 loss at Ryle on Tuesday.
NewCath fell to 1-4 while the Raiders improved to 3-2 with their third straight win. Thoroughbred goalkeeper Ben Tiereny had eight saves.
NewCath travels to Montgomery County next Tuesday for a 6 p.m. contest.