Notre Dame Hands Highlands Girls Soccer First Loss of Season

Bluebirds Hope to Bounce Back at NCC

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands junior forward Anna Melson (3) gets in position in the game against Notre Dame on Monday.

The hype going into the rivalry game led the usual high turnout.

The Highlands Bluebirds and Notre Dame Pandas girls soccer teams came into the game a combined 10-0. It had the makings of another good game in the storied histories of these two solid programs. It also marked the debut of two new head coaches in the rivalry in Chris Norris for Highlands and Suli Kayed for Notre Dame.

But this game belonged to the visitors. The Pandas (8-0 overall) scored 16 minutes into the game when senior Macie Feldman hit a free kick from about 50 yards out that bounced through everyone into the net and added two more in the second half on the way to a 3-0 shut-out over the Bluebirds (3-1). Highlands had won the previous three meetings against Notre Dame.

The Pandas have outscored opponents, 30-1 on the season with seven shutouts. Cincinnati (Ohio) Mercy McAuley is the only team to score on Notre Dame this season in a 3-1 loss in Park Hills on Aug. 21.

The second Notre Dame goal of the game came with 28 minutes left in the game. Senior Ella Simkonis raced down the right side and scored.

"At the beginning of the second half, I thought we had them a little bit on the ropes," Norris said. "We were attacking, attacking, attacking and they happened to catch a ball on top of the (18-foot-line) and take it 90 yards for a goal. Once we were down by two, you could kind of just see their confidence shoot through the roof. They were just pass, pass, pass. We ended up chasing them and couldn't get a handle on the ball."

Feldman added her second goal later in the second half making the final score. Feldman has four goals on the season.

Notre Dame saw all 10 shots go on goal with Highlands recording four shots including three on goal. Highlands senior goalkeepers Hailey Parks and Meg Gessner recorded four and three saves respectively.

"I think (the Pandas) had three blue collar goals," Norris said. "I think they worked hard for them. I thought we did a pretty good job of limiting their players. But we two freshmen in the back and they're learning how to play at the varsity level. Notre Dame has good speed. They have a good first touch. They know what they're doing and it paid off in the end for them."

Highlands takes on Newport Central Catholic (5-2-1) in a 36th District game Wednesday. Game time is 6:30 p.m. at Morsher Field.

Tuesday Highlands Results

Bluebirds Lose in Three to Pandas

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. The Highlands volleyball team lost at Notre Dame on Tuesday.

The gap between the Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team (20-5 overall) and the two teams that form what Head Coach Katelyn Sallee calls 'the wall' in the 9th Region has closed in recent years.

Highlands Monday Results

Bluebirds Tie Pandas

PHOTO: G. Michael Graham, Fort Thomas Matters. Highlands Girls Soccer Head Coach Alex Dean goes over strategy during halftime of the game against Notre Dame. The teams tied 1-1.

The lightning on the field came to full force as the arch-rivals met in the season-opener for the hosts at Tower Park.

But the lightning on the field forced the game to end early. That meant the Highlands Bluebirds girls soccer team and the Notre Dame Pandas (1-0-1) had to settle for a 1-1 tie.

"It's really hard playing your rival the very first game of the year, but I think it's kind of a good thing," said Alex Dean, Highlands Head Coach. "Leaving a big gap for if we do see them in the post-season, it's not, 'Oh, wait. We just saw them.' We have to adjust throughout the season. Things happen. We weren't worried about the score. Winning is always great. (But) it's making sure we're playing hard and we're out there trying to get a little more fit. We're a little slim on numbers. But we have faith in our girls. They all can play 80 minutes. Games like that will help us get to that."

Highlands Softball Edges Notre Dame

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team edged the Notre Dame Pandas, 5-4 on Thursday at Winkler Field in a 9th Region victory.

Highlands (12-8) scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Bluebirds moved to 7-3 in region play.

Highlands Pulls Away from Another Rival

 Bluebirds Win Fourth Straight

PHOTO: Bob Jackson. Highlands junior Piper Macke fires a shot in a recent game.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (18-4 overall) pulled away from the rival Notre Dame Pandas (12-7) in the second half for a 59-33 9th Region road victory Monday.

Highlands has won four in a row and Notre Dame has dropped four straight. The Bluebirds moved to 6-2 in region play and the Pandas fell to 4-4.

"In the second half, we started playing better defense and rebounded the ball on the defensive side," said Jaime Walz-Richey, Highlands Head Coach. "Notre Dame is a very scrappy team that goes after every loose ball and rebound."

Bluebirds Best Pandas

Highlands Records Road Region Win

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. The Highlands seniors and their families pose before the game against Simon Kenton on Tuesday.

The Highlands Bluebirds softball team faced the arch-rivals in a battle of teams that have combined to win the last five 9th Region titles.

But the Bluebirds (15-10 overall) claimed this one by a 9-6 score over the host Notre Dame Pandas (13-13). Highlands pulled away with five runs in the fourth inning. The Bluebirds scored three times in the first, but Notre Dame senior pitcher Lauren Durstock hit a three-rune home run in the bottom of the inning to tie it up.

Bluebirds Face Park Hills Rivals

Highlands Girls Extend Win Streak to Six

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Rory O'Hara goes up for the score against Notre Dame on Monday. O'Hara scored nine points in the 

The last thing the Blue and White knew it could not do was take the struggling arch-rivals lightly.

The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (17-6 overall) came into the game against the Notre Dame Pandas (7-14) on a five-game winning streak. On the other hand, the visitors owned just 15 win in the last two years and snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 48-21 win over Beechwood on Wednesday.

End of Great Season

Bluebirds Put Up Tough Fight with 9th Region Power

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands sophomore Casey Dunn (center) takes a swing while teammates Olivia Gessner (6), Gracie Schweitzer (2) and Margot Seidel (19) watch. Highlands finished its season witn an impressive 25-11 record.

The Highlands Bluebirds volleyball team (25-11 overall) came out playing loose against the six-time defending 9th Region champion Notre Dame Pandas in the 9th Region semifinals Wednesday at Holmes.

Ladybirds fall on Road

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (9-15-1 overall) dropped an 11-1 decision in six innings against Notre Dame on Tuesday. Highlands fell to 4-6 in 9th Region action with the loss

Highlands takes on Dayton to make up a 36th District game Wednesday. Game time is 5 p.m.

Handling Challenges from the 9th

Highlands hoops squads win 9th Region battles

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Braden Posey makes a move in a recent game. Highlands downed Conner, 69-58 for its fourth win in five games Tuesday.

The undersized visitors tried to spread the hosts out, create mismatches then capitalize on them.

It may have worked some, but the Highlands Bluebirds (7-9 overall) countered it better with its consistent inside attack with 6-foot-5-inch senior Kyle Finfrock and created outside shots on the way to a 69-58 victory over the Conner Cougars (7-7) on Tuesday in 9th Region action. Highlands moved above .500 in region play at 4-3 overall with its second straight win and fourth in the last five games.

Another tough ending

Pandas shut out Ladybirds in region tournament once again

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands Director of Athletics Matt Haskamp stands with 9th Region All-Tournament members, from left, Kylie Stava, Claudia Hils and Olivia McQueary.

The road to state has gone through these two for a long time.

So it did not turn into much of a surprise that the Highlands Ladybirds and Notre Dame Pandas met for yet another 9th Region championship. The Ladybirds had the right setting in playing host to the region tournament at Tower Park.

Highlands shuts out Notre Dame, 4-0

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands freshman Zoie Barth makes a catch in foul ground Friday against Notre Dame. Highlands won 4-0.

It was not a case of not believing they could beat the arch-rivals.

It was just a matter of proving their role as the 9th Region favorites against the Notre Dame Pandas on Friday. The Highlands Ladybirds softball team (17-9 overall) did that with a 4-0 blanking at Winkler Field. The game moved from Notre Dame to Highland Park because Notre Dame's field was too wet from rain earlier in the week. Highlands still played as the visiting team.

Shooting struggles hurt Highlands in loss

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Haley Coffey (15) goes in for a shot on Notre Dame's Sophie Hagen (11) in Tuesday's home game. Notre Dame won 46-38.

They'd overcome the shooting struggles in the last two one-point victories.

Ladybirds fall run short of 9th Region repeat

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands senior Whitney Quillen connects for one of her four hits in the 9th Region Softball championship game Thursday against Notre Dame.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior shortstop Haley Coffey (bottom) and Notre Dame left fielder Lindsey Meier (top) collide in the top of the fifth while Coffey tried to grab a ground ball.

This game may linger until the start of next season.

Notre Dame ends NewCath softball season

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic senior shorstop Michaela Ware ranges to make a catch in the fourth inning of Monday's 9th Region quarterfinal game at Northern Kentucky University.

The Notre Dame Pandas happened to be the opponent three years ago when the Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds last won a 9th Region Softball Tournament game at Northern Kentucky University.

Pandas end Ladybird win streak at 11

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Haley Coffey fields the ball in Thursday's game against Notre Dame.

The Highlands Ladybirds softball team had been doing the small things well lately.

NC girls wins rematch of last year's region title game

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Newport Central Catholic's Michaela Ware (11) goes up against Notre Dame's Allison Gribben (15) in Sunday's game at Thomas More College. NewCath won 50-41.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The Newport Central Catholic Thoroughbreds girls basketball team won the 2014 9th Region title game rematch Sunday at Thomas More College.

Highlands bests another rival

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior McKenzie Leigh (31) goes up for a shot against Notre Dame's Allison Gribben in Monday's game. Highlands won 42-34.

PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands juniors Haley Coffey (15) and Brianna Adler (10) battle for a rebound in Tuesday's game at Notre Dame. Highlands beat the Pandas for the first time since 2010.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The rival girls basketball team may be down from previous years.

How much did Highlands volleyball improve this year?

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM
Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

The season once again came to an end in the 9th Region quarterfinals.

But it saw marked improvement for the Highlands Ladybirds volleyball team. Highlands improved four wins from each of the previous two seasons finishing 17-18 overall. Perennial 9th Region volleyball Notre Dame handled the Ladybirds, 3-0 (25-11, 25-4, 25-9) at Ryle on Tuesday.

Did NC end Notre Dame's region win streak?

G. Michael Graham Photo. Newport Central Catholic's Loren Zimmerman (center) plays the ball while Taylor Tolle (right) moved upfield in the 9th Region title game against Notre Dame. Notre Dame won its 11th straight region game with the 3-0 win.

By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

UNION – Until someone develops the depth they possess, the Notre Dame Pandas may continue to rule the 9th Region in girls soccer and contend for state championships.