Highlands 2 McNicholas (OH) 2

O SO CLOSE!!!!!

Highlands was cueing up that special lady to start singing but McNick had other ideas to squash that Highland Heights party at NKU.  Highlands was finally getting a chance to play on the NKU soccer field tonight and almost pulled off a sweet win.  For the first 26 minutes it was a battle at midfield with a few runs for both teams with nothing going in.  Then Highlands got their first break with a ball in the box and McNick commits the handling infraction for Highlands to be rewarded with a PK opportunity.  Harrison Gamble takes the shot and puts it in the back of the net.  Birds 1 McNick 0

That was how the half ended....

Birds will come out fast and aggressive to start the 2nd half, McNick drops a ball back to the keeper to clear it out.  Logan Nickelman sprints towards the keeper and takes a leap in front of the keepers kick and times it perfectly for the ball to drill him in the body with so much force the ball goes back over the keepers head and into the back of the net.  Birds 2 McNick 0, 35 minutes left in the match.

It felt like Highlands was on cruise control, nothing really threatening the defense and we were going to play it out and get the "W".

Unfortunately, the bad mojo got the best of the Birds in the last 12 minutes.....

First goal came on a cross that went across the face of the goal then got pushed back across the goal, defenders heads were spinning and McNick finally got a nice rip into one that got past Sam Lang to finally put McNick on the board.  Birds 2 McNick 1

Shortly after that McNick got a nice attack going and past it off to a runner thru the middle who was unmarked that was able to point blank range blast it past Lang again.  And just like that Birds 2 McNick 2, ugh!!!

No other really good opportunities after that, o so close this could have been a nice win for the Birds but you must play all 80 minutes without hiccups like that at the end.

This was a disappointing tie....  O well 

Next up for the Birds:  Tuesday, Sep 10th "Revenge Day".  After never losing to NCC since 2015, NCC beat the Birds not just once but twice last season.....this will be a big 36th District rivalry game.  We will be back at NKU soccer field for this epic battle.