Upcoming Sports Preview: Soccerama Matches to Present Preseason Actions of Boys Teams in Soccer
The Highlands high school soccer season is set to begin on August 11, with both the boys and girls teams aiming to build on their success from last year, when they both reached the 9th Region finals. Meanwhile, local WNBA star Lexi Held continues to impress for the Phoenix Mercury.
In a significant development, the Highlands athletic complex at Tower Park is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade. The renovation includes an expanded resurfaced track, enhanced seating, upgraded restroom facilities, and a fieldhouse where student-athletes can train. However, the soccer teams will play their home games at Northern Kentucky University until the Tower Park facility is ready for spectators. Highlands athletic director Wes Caldwell plans to attend a meeting on Monday to determine when the Tower Park facility will be able to accommodate spectators.
The Highlands boys and girls soccer teams are currently practising on a new synthetic turf field at Tower Park. Meanwhile, the annual Soccerama preseason scrimmage games for Northern Kentucky boys teams will take place over three days at Covington Catholic High School. The schedule for this year's Soccerama, which involves 22 teams including CovCath and Campbell County, is yet to be announced.
Last season, the Highlands girls team defeated Conner, 1-0, to claim the title, while the boys team lost to Covington Catholic, 3-1. Four field players from Campbell County accounted for 46 of the team's 71 goals and 25 of 50 assists. Campbell County had seven seniors who played in all 25 games and their starting goalkeeper graduate in May, while CovCath had eight seniors who played in 21 or more games last season and their starting goalkeeper is among the departing graduates.
Tanner Robertson of CovCath, a defender, was named Defensive Player of the Year by the local coaches. Five players who were first-team selections on the Northern Kentucky Soccer Coaches Association all-star team last season are among this year's senior class.
On the national stage, Lexi Held, a graduate of Cooper, played 8 minutes, 48 seconds and contributed two points and one assist during her team's 88-72 win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday. After missing seven consecutive games due to an injury during her rookie season, Held has returned to the Phoenix Mercury's lineup.
The Phoenix Mercury will visit the Indiana Fever at 7 p.m. Wednesday in a nationally televised game on ESPN3. This game presents a rare opportunity for Held's family and friends in Northern Kentucky to see her play at the WNBA venue that's closest to home.
Admission at the gate to each Soccerama session will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. Tickets are available online for $5 and $3 with a fee by going to the covcath.org website.
As the new season approaches, excitement is building in the Northern Kentucky soccer community. With renovations underway, promising teams, and local stars shining on the national stage, it's shaping up to be an exciting year for high school soccer in the region.
- The Highlands athletic complex at Tower Park, located in Northern Kentucky, is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade, with the soccer teams playing their home games at Northern Kentucky University until the facility is ready for spectators.
- The Highlands boys and girls soccer teams are currently practising on a new synthetic turf field at Tower Park, preparing for the start of their season on August 11.
- The Soccerama preseason scrimmage games for Northern Kentucky boys teams will take place at Covington Catholic High School, with 22 teams including CovCath and Campbell County participating.
- Last season, the Highlands girls team won the title by defeating Conner, while the boys team lost to Covington Catholic. Notably, four field players from Campbell County accounted for a significant portion of the team's goals and assists.
- Local WNBA star Lexi Held, a graduate of Cooper, continues to impress for the Phoenix Mercury, recently contributing points and assists in a win over the Washington Mystics on Sunday, and upcoming games against the Indiana Fever on ESPN3 provide a rare opportunity for her family and friends in Northern Kentucky to see her play.
