Highlands girls soccer focused entering postseason
FT. THOMAS – As long as the Bluebirds can maintain their focus for a full 80 minutes, their 2015 season will continue.
Highlands High School’s girls soccer team entered the Ninth Region tournament against Dixie Heights Oct. 19 with a 14-8-0 record. Each of those eight losses came against a quality opponent by a small margin. A more complete effort from the Bluebirds could have turned those losses into victories.
“It takes 80 minutes of 100 percent focus and effort by the entire team,” Highlands coach Brian Wiefering. “We have simply missed too many wide open scoring opportunities, and seem to give up at least one goal a game that was just a total mental breakdown against teams that we dominated on every statistic except the one that counts most—the score.
“The girls know this, and I think they believe me when I tell them they are the best team in the Ninth Region, but now they must prove it.”
They are off to a good start. Highlands beat Dixie Heights 2-0. They face Notre Dame at 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21, at St. Henry. Highlands defeated both the Colonels and Pandas during the regular season.
Freshman Lindsey Meyer has burst onto the varsity scene, leading the Bluebirds with 14 goals. She is second on the team with nine assists. Wiefering knew he had a gifted young talent, but had concerns about Meyer’s ability to handle the more physically taxing level of competition. Those concerns were alleviated before the season even began, when he saw Meyer dominate a U16 club match.
“I knew then that I not only had a special player, but that she would do great things for our team her freshman year,” said Wiefering. “In my opinion, after playing most of the top teams in Kentucky and some of Cincinnati, Lindsey Meyer is the best player in Kentucky. She surpasses my expectations every day.”
Meyer is just one of the underclassmen contributing to the Bluebirds’ success. Her classmate Haley Dougherty has scored six goals. The team’s six seniors have embraced their roles as leaders whether they are on the field to start the match or waiting their turn to contribute. The Bluebirds have 23 girls who believe they should start and play the entire game. But, thanks to the leadership of the seniors, there is no friction among teammates.
“I can’t tell you how rewarding it is seeing these upperclassmen give 100 percent when they get on the field, showing these younger players how important they are to the team even if they believe they should be playing more,” said Wiefering. “It’s a selfless act, and I appreciate them so much for it. It takes a true winner to put your ego aside, and simply give your best when you are called upon.”
Highlands has improved its defensive organization over the course of the season. Playing such an aggressive, attacking style can take a toll on the defenders and midfielders who have to cover so much ground. When the Bluebirds have given up goals, it has usually been a result of losing focus in defending counterattacks. When they maintain their focus, they are tough to beat.
“I think when they are focused, they play the game in a style that could be only appreciated by true soccer fans,” said Wiefering. “Once they get into their rhythm within a game, against even our toughest opponents, they bleed confidence.”
The leadership of Hayley Crothers, Ellie Farley, Lauren Ossege, Megan Reynolds, Kylie Schuermann, and Madalyn Wiefering will carry the Bluebirds through the Ninth Region.
“The seniors are the glue for the team,” said Wiefering. “If the seniors work hard, the team works hard. If the seniors stay focused, the team stays focused. The seniors will determine how far this team goes with their play on the field, along with their support and focus towards their teammates.”