STPB

Highlands travels to Boone County for a match on Saturday. Who wins is this match that could be played on a soggy field at Boone County? I am going with Highlands 3-1. Tonight’s weather could reek havoc with the field conditions so it could be anybody’s game.

I thought St Henry did a good job containing Highlands in the first half. They gave up the early PK but after that they settled down and limited Highlands scoring chances. Second half went much differently with Highlands dominating possession. St Henry did have a few opportunities but just couldn’t find a goal. Highlands kept applying the pressure and so the goals started coming. Wiefering, Gorman, T Price, Amy Herfel, and Kelsey Miller with goals. Congrats on Herfel and Miller scoring their first ever Varsity goals tonight. Good luck to St Henry the rest of the season!

Anderson (OH) looks like they could be on their way back to being one of the better teams in Cincinnati after having a few years where they had slid a little bit. They were the best Cincinnati team I saw during Soccerama. Ursuline was a close 2nd. Kentucky wise Highlands and Dixie looked good but both played their entire roster a lot of minutes. NDA looked good at times but I don’t think they fully showed what they had yet. The 9th Region is one of the top Regions in the State and I don’t think anybody wants to show too much early on. This should be an interesting season.

Dixie 1 - NCC 0 Anderson (OH) 3 - NDA 0

St Henry over Boone- sorry don’t remember the score. Highlands - Ursuline 2-2

Was very nice to see the Stevie boys perform well. This HHS front line is really fast and well skilled. They apply a lot of pressure on the back line. Only thing I see is that they need to win more balls out of the air when played from the back. They are taller than any back line they may play with the exception of Ryle in NKY. The midfield looks to be coming together nicely. I thought that would be the toughest to replace from last season. Hard to lose Gish, Shuley, and Ford from those spots. Alex Ford looked good in there but they may still need him on the back line. Was very impressed with Ford Orem at outside back. Left with a cramp late was performing really well. Cannot wait to watch this team come together.

This is what I can find so far. Friday 5:00pm Beechwood vs Scott Friday 8:00pm Highlands vs Ursuline Saturday 11:00am Campbell vs HC Saturday 6:30pm NDA vs Anderson (OH)

I didn’t realize anyone was acting like the rules police. I believe most of us were just wondering what the rules were for scrimmages and what counted as an actual scrimmage according to the dates. Their coach has been around for a long time so I am sure he knew the rules just wanted the details made a little clearer. Not sure why people would assume there was some type of witch hunt going on. Sorry if that was the impression.

That was going to be my next question as well. The OE Nike High School showcase should count as pre-season scrimmages according to the KHSAA rule book but I am not sure what the dates have to do with anything.

I know there is a limit on pre-season scrimmages but not sure what that is. Does anybody know how many you can play and what the states definition of a scrimmage is? I know Bluegrass Games did not count as a scrimmage for the high school teams. Basically that one was a freebie.

It shouldn’t be an option as to who gets to use the field. Soccerama provides money to the school for hosting. So the football coach can just trump a NKY high school soccer showcase? Doesn’t make since to me. If the AD doesn’t step in then Beechwood should not be allowed to host Soccerama in the future.

Voice, that is correct. DA is the US Youth Soccer development academy. There are many clubs across the US that have went to this format. For us, locally, it’s a combined effort with KHA and CUP. It is considered the Top team. If you play DA though, you cannot play high school. Supposedly some DA clubs are looking to reverse this rule but that has not happened with the Cincy DA.

CAP I don’t know of any. The only player that didn’t return this year from last years Varsity squad was a senior defender. She will be missed back there.

I made a mistake in the last post. There are 3 Sophs.

Now that tryouts are over for Highlands the Varsity roster is set. They are carrying 4 seniors, multitude of Juniors, and 2 Sophs. They are returning 8-9 out of 11 starters but of course there could be some new starters this season. A couple of D1 commits in the squad with a few in the junior class being recruited at the D1 and D2 level. If this team can put it all together they should be able to make a run at State but will need to get out of a very tough 9th Region first.

All but one girl from last years Varsity team has been at tryouts. Numbers for soph and frosh look to be good as well.

My heart is hoping that Highlands gets to State. These boys have worked hard over the last 2 seasons and this season shouldn’t be any different.

My early prediction is #1 Ryle, #2 Highlands, #3 Cov Cath, #4 dark horse NCC, and #5 St Henry.

I understand your point Godfather. Coaching girls is TOTALY different. I think that’s why it is important to surround yourself with a good staff that bring different things to the table. He has the playing experience and training experience now he will just need to figure out 18-20 girls. That will be the biggest challenge.

Coach Dean will be bringing in an entirely new staff this upcoming season. The incoming staff is walking into a great situation when it comes to talent. He should be able to do great things with this team.

The new coach couldn’t ask for a more talented team. I am sure he/she will have them ready.

I agree with you, NDA might be a little deeper. I believe Ryle will be in the mix as well as St Henry. Dixie will be in the fight to. Highlands should return All-State player in Wiefering, All-State Honorable Mention in Meyer (should have been 1st/2nd team), Louisville commit Lauren Deckert, Parker Price (one of the top defenders in NKY), H Gish and Heinegardner in goal. They have dynamic outside mids with Tatum Price, María Broering and Noble. Several other girls gave great minutes off the bench as well last year and should be battling for starting spots.

I don’t know about favorite but they might return the most talent. They lose two starters from last years team. Those two were great players in Kylie Stava and Sophie Steppe but returning 9 starters should put them near the top of the Region. As long as no players are lost to the DA, those 9 should be back along with great production off the bench. Now we just hope that the new coach can carry on the success and get that 9th Region Championship.

Heard interviews are complete. Thinking there will be an announcement next week.

Fair enough.