By G. MICHAEL GRAHAM

Fort Thomas Matters Sports Reporter

If the end of last season showed a major indication, the Highlands Ladybirds soccer team is in store for great things.

Highlands finished 8-8-5 last season, but caught fire in the postseason. The Ladybirds captured their seventh district championship in eight years and lost 3-0 in the 9th Region finals to eventual state champion Notre Dame.

Highlands would love to get back to the level seen between 2005 and 2008. The Ladybirds finished 80-11-11 during that time winning two state championships and garnering another runner-up finish. They also outscored opponents 238-44 during that run.

That’s the challenge facing new Head Coach Brian Wiefering and staff. The Highlands administration promoted Wiefering from his assistant role in the offseason after five-year Head Coach Tommy Kearns resigned because of an increased workload at Fidelity. Neither Kearns nor his wife Nina will be on the Highlands sidelines this fall for the first time since 1997.

Wiefering brought back former assistant Stephanie Sandfoss-Graves. Graves tallied 64 goals and 39 assists in her career before graduating in 1999 and is still the school’s all-time leading scorer. The other two assistants are Josh Hartung and Mark Farley.

“Some of the girls who were on the team last year were surprised,” Wiefering said. “I had to take a completely different role. It’s very black and white. They know what I will accept and what I won’t accept. Probably many of them will tell you I’m a lot more serious and determined than what they’ve known in the past. But being the leader of the program, that’s a hat I have to wear. I didn’t know how many girls would buy into that. But after the Bluegrass Games, I can tell you they have.”

Highlands performed well in the Bluegrass Games. They won both games against Louisville Male and Bardstown.

Highlands knows that catching Notre Dame might mean a state championship. The Ladybirds handed them one of their two losses last year in the Lexington Catholic Cup. The Pandas shut out the nine opponents, 38-0 on their way to their third state championship in school history.

Highlands will employ a 4-3-3 (defender-midfielder-forward) strategy. Wiefering is big on controlling the midfield. The strategy could change depending on the opponent.

“We’re very, very positive in the way we coach,” Wiefering said. “At the same time, if they’re not going to work and be where we want them to be, we have junior varsity girls that would love to be varsity. If they’re going to be on the Highlands varsity, they’re going to be where we want them to be. It’s going to be a lot of work. But they also need to understand their role at each position.”

The Ladybirds have 22 listed on the varsity. They are five seniors, 10 juniors, six sophomores and a freshman. Highlands had to make some cuts.

“I hate that,” Wiefering said. “But where other programs are begging girls to come out and play for their team and might not have numbers to have one team, we have so many girls coming out. We’re able to keep rosters of 20 girls on three teams and still cut girls. More than anything, that excites me about soccer.”

Highlands graduated eight seniors off last year’s team including goalkeeper Sarah Owen. Also, a leading goal scorer in Brooklynn Rivers decided not to return this year.

Things start with the defense. Highlands hopes to beat teams up the field for some transition goals.

The seniors are Taylor Vaughn, Peyton Bankemper, Brooke Dougherty, Allyson Bridewell and Lydia Graves. They will be counted on to lead and build team chemistry.

“I think the main key is staying positive, having a good attitude and staying organized on the field,” Bridewell said. “We know we’re going to be friends off the field. It’s about working hard and doing the best we can.”

A good number of juniors and sophomores saw action last year. The juniors are Kylie Schuerman, Hannah Culyer, Madalyn Wiefering, Ellie Farley, Haley Crothers, Kamryn Balson, Maddie Hope, McKenzie Messmer, Lauren Ossege and Megan Reynolds. The sophomores are Kiersten Clukey, Annalee Brewer, Claudia Hills, Shannon Eaton, Annie Schneider and Kayla Nehus. Freshman Olivia McQuery rounds out the roster.

“I think we have a lot of good younger girls who have stepped up to play those offensive roles,” Vaughn said. “Our teamwork has been great this year. I think if we keep on that, we’ll do even better than last year.”

Highlands opens the season Aug. 18 against St. Henry. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

 

Fort Thomas Sports: Ladybirds aim for return to glory days

Where did Rivers go?

Where did Rivers go?

 

I think she is playing on the Ohio Elite Fall High School Squad.

I think she is playing on the Ohio Elite Fall High School Squad.

 

Another bad decision. No one outside her club team cares about her club team. And the games i saw, she never dominated. Not enough better than anyone to make anyone saw wow.

Another bad decision. No one outside her club team cares about her club team. And the games i saw, she never dominated. Not enough better than anyone to make anyone saw wow.

 

So kids play sports based upon "who cares" about the games. Here is a news flash for you, if you take away the parents, virtually no one goes to watch girls soccer (I am a rare exception) or follows what happens. If Brooklyn enjoys her club situation (her teammates, her coach, etc. more than her high school situation) then who is to call it a bad decision? My daughter loves her club situation enough that she choose not to play a sport she could have played at the varsity level. She is very content with her decision.

 

I am sure the Brooklyn is dissapointed she couldn't "wow" bosshog, but her game has been more than attractive enough to allow her to play previously with the KHA team that completes nationally and I fully expect her to be playing D-1 soccer at a high level following her senior year. The gap between her and most everyone else on Highlands team last year was significant.

Another bad decision. No one outside her club team cares about her club team. And the games i saw, she never dominated. Not enough better than anyone to make anyone saw wow.

 

Are you even qualified, or close enough to the situation, to label this as a bad decision? I do not know this young lady but I will go out on a limb and say that she is not worried about "wowing" you.

I think she is playing on the Ohio Elite Fall High School Squad.

 

Good decision for her. You get better by practicing and playing with players that are as talented, or more talented, than you.

So kids play sports based upon "who cares" about the games. Here is a news flash for you, if you take away the parents, virtually no one goes to watch girls soccer (I am a rare exception) or follows what happens. If Brooklyn enjoys her club situation (her teammates, her coach, etc. more than her high school situation) then who is to call it a bad decision? My daughter loves her club situation enough that she choose not to play a sport she could have played at the varsity level. She is very content with her decision.

 

I am sure the Brooklyn is dissapointed she couldn't "wow" bosshog, but her game has been more than attractive enough to allow her to play previously with the KHA team that completes nationally and I fully expect her to be playing D-1 soccer at a high level following her senior year. The gap between her and most everyone else on Highlands team last year was significant.

 

With all of the attention and support football generates at Highlands, do the other fall sports, especially the girls' sports, feel left out in the cold? I know "officially" no one will say that, but it must be hard to play girl's soccer at a place where the football team owns the school.

With all of the attention and support football generates at Highlands, do the other fall sports, especially the girls' sports, feel left out in the cold? I know "officially" no one will say that, but it must be hard to play girl's soccer at a place where the football team owns the school.

 

What does football have to do with girls soccer or any girls sport for that matter? It is my understanding that Brooklyn may not be attending Highlands this year, thus the main reason that she did not tryout for the team. That being a question, she has apparently decided to play for the high school team at OE. In speaking with her father on numerous occasions last year before and/or after games, I can tell you that she was being actively pursued by several D-1 programs and she is most assuredly good enough to play at that level barring injury.

 

Lets make this a discussion about the girls that are on the team and the season ahead rather than dwelling on a player that unfortunately is no longer a part of the program.

What does football have to do with girls soccer or any girls sport for that matter?

 

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. Do players find it hard to play a HS sport like girl's soccer that has no fan following and no "buzz" about it in a school and a town that's centered around the football team? Is it easier, harder, or the same as anywhere else?

I don't know. That's why I'm asking. Do players find it hard to play a HS sport like girl's soccer that has no fan following and no "buzz" about it in a school and a town that's centered around the football team? Is it easier, harder, or the same as anywhere else?

 

Couldn't this be said about girls soccer and probably boys soccer for that matter, everywhere? They are mutually exclusive and most of the fans at soccer games are parents of players and members of the student body that come out to support their teams.

I don't know the girl at all. I just place a significantly higher value on playing for your school than playing club to get noticed.

So kids play sports based upon "who cares" about the games. Here is a news flash for you, if you take away the parents, virtually no one goes to watch girls soccer (I am a rare exception) or follows what happens. If Brooklyn enjoys her club situation (her teammates, her coach, etc. more than her high school situation) then who is to call it a bad decision? My daughter loves her club situation enough that she choose not to play a sport she could have played at the varsity level. She is very content with her decision.

 

I am sure the Brooklyn is dissapointed she couldn't "wow" bosshog, but her game has been more than attractive enough to allow her to play previously with the KHA team that completes nationally and I fully expect her to be playing D-1 soccer at a high level following her senior year. The gap between her and most everyone else on Highlands team last year was significant.

 

Most high school age club teams sit out the Fall season. Your daughter would rather sit out and play 7 club games than represent her school? Sounds like uncertainty on playing time to me.

I don't know the girl at all. I just place a significantly higher value on playing for your school than playing club to get noticed.

 

You would be wrong.

I know college coaches watch club. My point is represent your school and your classmates. As few of people as there are at high school games, go watch a college game. Theres even less fans.