Big Red

Congrats to Ashtyn. She's a talented kid, and i imagine going to threaten all time scoring record at Dixie. NDA will play Holmes next. I don't see anything positive that can come from this. I'm not aware of any records that are in range, and I do not like that stat padding is the focal point going into a game like this. I know an argument can be made that coaches and players have to take advantage of games like this to keep up with gaudy stats built up in other regions for purpose of "all-state" consideration. It will be interesting to see how NDA coaching staff approaches this one.

NDA was able to shutout the high powered Seton offense with a 1-0 victory. This was a fun, good soccer game to watch, not the half soccer/half tackle football match with St. Ursula (referees fault). Seton is small, but skilled, crazy fast and aggressive team. The pace of this game was fast back and forth. Seton's back line trapped (legitimately) NDA for ~10 off sides penalties. NDA did seem to physically wear down Seton in the second half and were more threatening. NDA's goal was off a great effort battle in the corner that a player controlled to get a cross off and I believe Feldmann was the one that was able to connect it in to goal. It was a solid goal that the Pandas had to earn. Several other good chances for the Pandas ended off crossbar or high. Seton did generate legit shots on goal as well, but Abby Breeze was solid in the net. Seton and St. Ursula, as expected, are both VERY good teams with next level players. Not spectacular, but solid performance by the Pandas this week who end their season 19-0-1, with 2 goals allowed in their regular season.

NDA drew 0-0 with St. Ursula. It was certainly an exciting game that saw St. U control the first 20 minutes, then NDA got in it under control and flipped momentum. It was great entertainment, but kind of ugly soccer. The refs let it turn into more of a football (not futball) game. NDA's goalie, Abby Breeze, had a very good game, which tells you that St. Ursula got into NDA's defense more than they are used. Good wake up call for the Pandas, and apparently doesn't get any easier playing Seton next.

@FrankNicodemus, I'm seeing at 4-3 score. Is that a 4-3 good game, or 4-3, it was well in control and Dixie popped in a few late goals to make it look closer than it was? Dixie can score with several very good kids up top, but they don't have the midfield or kids on defense that they have had in recent years. Need details...

Aren't the Friehoffer girls very good for Cooper to add to their list of top talent. I know that Notre Dame only graduated a center that split time. Notre Dame, Ryle, and Cooper should all be loaded again. It sounds like Conner and HC return a lot as well. No doubt will be a great season and 9th region tournament again. Is there any other young, incoming talent that will make an impact this year?

All will be happy to hear that the NDA vs. St. Henry has been moved to NDA! The field will still be wet but free from that mess at St. Henry. I keep looking for some improvement in the forecast, but not happening. Interesting 3 team round robin between Dixie, South Oldham, and The Lady Birds this week. Looking forward to getting recaps of these games. Highlands could have a big advantage in the midfield vs. both teams. All 3 teams have good talent up top. Go Tigers!

Good questions. I think there are varying viewpoints that all can be valid. My general answer is, it depends on the situation. High school is very communal in our area. The kids, the parents, general spectators come out to watch, and is more often than not a very cool environment to play in front of that you don't get in club soccer. How was the environment at the Ryle vs. Cooper game? My guess is packed stands, cheering sections of kids, etc. It's fun, low stress, and the overall soccer play is not the same as club. Also, If they weren't playing high school, wouldn't they still be playing a club fall league. Is there less chance of them getting hurt playing club vs. high school?

Late check in on the scoreboard showing Ryle beating Cooper 1-0. No details, so could've been in PK's, not sure, but I have Ryle and Beechwood above Cooper until they show otherwise. Interested to get details on this one if someone can chime in. NDA took care of business vs. NCC 4-0. Not much to say here. Ball played on NDA offensive side vs. alot of defenders in the box. Panda goalie Abbey Breeze was recognized at halftime for setting the season record for shutouts. NDA hosted a a fun night with light show, food truck, music, etc. throughout the game. Dixie loses 0-2 to a VERY good South Oldham team. If anyone has detail on this game, I'd be interested to hear how this played out. South Oldham vs. Highlands will be interesting.

For conversation and fun, I'm going to challenge the rankings a bit this week, and say that while we are splitting hairs, Beechwood is not getting enough credit. Beechwood has recent wins over Brossart and HC. Their margin of victory vs. HC is a bit more than others ranked ahead of them with recent ties vs. Ryle and Cambell. Their bad loss came early for what I think is a young team. I really don't know how I would reshuffle the deck, but Cooper (who I was on early) has done nothing to earn or maintain their rank. I think Ryle and Beechwood should be above them.

@Frank - 3 things: 1) Your #3-8 "ish" rankings are getting tougher and tougher. I think could be open for some friendly debates this week! 2) Kudos to your Lady Birds. "Interesting" start in the preseason. Clearly nice job by coaching staff and kids, as they continue to improve and clearly still a top team in the state. Sure to be another epic battle Saturday. 3) I think we have a better picture of the state wide competition. I'm not sure NDA got Sacred Heart's A game, but I've seen South Oldham and they are the real deal. I'll be interested to see the pending results of South Oldham vs. Sacred Heart and Assumption. Lexington Catholic has some big time individual talent, but not impressive as a team with their style of play.

Wow! I thought this could be a very interesting game. 7 Yellows, a bunch of fouls, and 2 controversial goals ends up in a 1-1 tie. Sounds like could've just as easily finished 0-0, pending judgement calls.

Ryle holds typically high scoring Dixie to 1 goal to earn the TIE (see above)! I would have liked to seen this game. Can anyone provide a bit of color on this match?

Why did the Cooper v Conner game go into PK's? I thought regular season games could end in ties. Curious?

Ryle v Dixie is definitely the most interesting match up to me. Dixie, who scores a lot with several good offensive weapons vs. the stingy Ryle defense! If Ryle can create a goal (Dixie's defense is susceptible) to get a lead, they can pack in the defense and make it tough on Dixie.

Curious to get detailed feedback on how this "prime time" match up looked on Prepspin. From the field, Sacred Heart came out strong with as expected big time effort. They showed a solid and effective possession game for the first 15 minutes or so, but kept running into the solid Panda backline. Sacred Heart created a few corners, but never really got off clean looks or generated big time offensive threats. Then, as they have done all year, the Pandas turn the ball back around to go on the attack. In what seemed to be a good midfield battle, turned into 1-0 then 2-0. In the second half, it seemed fairly one sided. At a general level NDA looked bigger, faster, and wore Sacred Heart down. Thoughts?

Again, it's just my opinion from seeing each team one time, and in the context of ranking a top 10, #5 vs. #10... The strength of both teams is on the defense. Both have high level goalie play with a solid defensive line and holding midfield. I'm not sure I can comment on style, but it's more strength of the team and result. Both teams very stingy in allowing goals, but do not score much themselves. Beechwood has 6 shutouts and allowed only 1 goal in 3 games. Ryle has 5 shutouts and allowed only 1 goal twice. Ryle probably played tougher schedule, but in terms of ranking, look similar to me.

As I said before, Ryle and Beechwood are the same from what I saw. Obviously ooking forward to this week. Sacred Heart is undefeated vs. NDA. Lex Cath looks to be playing well, but I'll lean Highlands in what should be a great game. South Oldham is not playing in the Lex Cath tournament, but they look to be a top team in the state going 2-0 at Zionsville. They beat Indy power Brebeuf Jesuit last weekend, and handled Lexington Catholic earlier.

SK "kept it close" vs. NDA the same way that Ryle and Beechwood did. They packed it in on defense, committed to playing a defensive game, let their goalie make a lot of saves vs. longer shots, and try for an occasional run out counter attack. I haven't seen SK do this before. It does keep things close, and this style clearly frustrates the Panda attack. SK's goal was a legit good goal on a counter run out. On the play they got one good shot off that was saved, but a SK player on opposite side made a nice quick pass right back for another quick shot that went in. Give them credit for good play and executing their strategy. It may have been the only 2 shots that SK took all night. I may have missed one or 2. Again, similar to Ryle and Beechwood, the game was played ~90% on Panda offensive side. The shots on goal were a lot to very few (I don't think any vs. Ryle, Beechwood). As you can imagine, if SK keeps game goalie stats, it was a night where their goalie would definitely threaten a single game record for saves (some very good, others easy, but A LOT). I think Spivey had a laser goal from ~30-40 yards out. She may have hit the other bomb as well, that probably was intended as a long pass into the box, but in this style of play it's a scrum in the box and the ball one hopped (or deflected) into the goal. The third goal was a great cross from the end line that Simkonis made a good play to finish. Obviously not the best game NDA has played this year, but was good to see a few players back that had been out for a bit.

#1 NDA beat Carmel (I believe I read previously unbeaten) on Friday 1-0. Very good game with NDA definitely controlling the pace of play. Carmel had a pair of goalies that made several great stops. Today NDA beat Zionsville 2-0 in the rain. Physical game played in tough conditions on wet grass. Worth noting that NDA played these last 3 games without their 3 starting center midfielders (Clark, Henson, and McKnight). Several younger players stepped up in their absence.

My two cents on the current top ten, based on teams that I have seen live, is that I didn't see much difference between #10 Beechwood and #5 Ryle. Top notch goalies, play good, tough defense, don't threaten to score a lot. Agree with Cooper at 3, and I don't know what to do with Dixie. Dixie has been very inconsistent. In general, they are opposite of Beechwood and Ryle. Multiple talented kids on offense that can create assists and put the ball in the net, but don't seem too interested on the defensive side. I probably agree with you that Dixie will figure it out and has more talent than a few of the other teams.

Great atmosphere at the main event! Most if not all of NDA's games have been fun, well played games with great high school fan bases cheering their teams on. A lot to keep looking forward to. NDA has two tough games this weekend in Zionsville, IN.

I was interested to see how NDA would handle the challenge of being down several key players in the midfield tonight vs. The Lady Birds. Definitely started slow, not having their typical possession game, but the defense held up to for them to get settled in. Another physical game and impressive win for The Pandas.

I'm calling for a close, low scoring game tonight in Ft. Thomas. I don't think NDA will generate as many set plays as in preseason.

I thought I saw somewhere that the NDA / Highlands game will be broadcast. Does anyone have that link?

Congrats Coach Morris on 200! Well done, and in a very nice win. After seeing both Beechwood and Ryle recently, they are very comparable and easy to understand the low scoring, tight games. Both are well coached and physically solid on defense plus have VERY good goalies. We knew that Ryle had a great goalie, but I was very impressed with Beechwood's goalie. Beechwood is also a bigger, more athletic team than past few years. They don't get pushed around, and Derrick is a great coach. Great to see them play like this. The quarantine issue stinks. That said, I don't think NDA posted that as an issue when they had same problem with key players last year in the regional semi's. I hope no one else has to deal with that going forward. A lot of quality play across the area this year!