Laney Smith knows only her name will be at the top of a prestigious list.
But similar to the others on top of it, Smith agreed that her school-record 76 career goals does not happen without great teammates. Smith surpassed 2019 graduate Lindsey Meyer’s 75-goal career total with a hat trick to help the Highlands Bluebirds soccer team to a 10-0, 36th District seed win over the Bellevue Tigers at Tower Park.
“It’s all about the team,” Smith said. “I’ve been so thankful for the people I’ve played with – high-level athletes. I can’t get the goals without being set up. I can’t thank my teammates enough. My teammates are everything on the field. Soccer is not a one-man show. There are 11 players on the field and we all have to be a family. We all have to work together.”
Highlands dominated the contest, putting up 20 shots on goal to Bellevue’s none. Bailey Markus and Natalie Hinegardner combined for the shutout in net.
Smith had a ton of help in this win. Claire Cavacini and Reese Wilkins scored two goals each with Kate Jamie, Kendall Graves and Franny Smith scoring one each. Franny is the younger sister of Laney. Graves had a team-high three assists with Kate Fausz tallying two. Cavacini, Ava Lawhorn and Yvie Gorrigan recorded one each.
“I feel like we play a very team-oriented game with a lot of runs, a lot of passing, a lot of movement off the ball,” said Chris Norris, Highlands head coach. “Laney is that type of player who frequently gets the ball in the middle of the field and is able to slot it home for us. So if she scores 76 goals, that means there’s 76 assists out there from her teammates.”
Smith agreed she can focus on the team goals the rest of the season. Highlands (2-0) continues a tough week Wednesday against St. Henry (1-2) at Tower Park at 8 p.m. Bellevue (0-2-1) looks for their first win of the season Wednesday when they play at Villa Madonna at 5 p.m.
Notre Dame 3, Lexington Catholic 0
The Pandas (3-1) bounced back from a Saturday loss to Sacred Heart in a big way with a win over the Knights (1-1-1) – a state semifinalist last year.
“The attitude we showed up with as a group was much better,” said Brian Woeste, Notre Dame head coach. “Rolling out on the field against our last opponent Sacred Heart, I think we weren’t really sure what we had and maybe in some areas of the game, we were a little overconfident. I think their strong ability to finish kind of put us in our place and put us on notice.”
Carly Tranter, Kate Lenihan and Scarlet Cogswell scored the Notre Dame goals with Sadie Yapp and Eva Dozier recording the assists. Hannah Renaker and Adilynn Melton combined for the shutout at keeper, recording eight saves each.
“We’ve been working in practice, especially those that stand out, in front of us, communicating about them and marking them,” said Caroline Harper, Notre Dame senior. “Together we rise is our statement this year. It’s on the back of our jerseys and I think it’s super important that we work together in order to succeed and go forward this season.”
Notre Dame plays host to Beechwood (2-1) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in a 35th District battle.
Bishop Brossart 3, Conner 2
The Mustangs (3-1) ventured to Hebron and rallied to beat the Cougars (2-1-1) after falling behind 2-0 early.
“After the first 10 minutes, we came out solid,” said Andy Smith, Brossart head coach. “They had their chances there at the end. They have some good players for sure. (Conner) Coach (Mike) Hughes is facing some injury woes like we are.”
Brossart goalkeeper Madeline Broering made nine saves.
Sophomore Rachel Shewmaker led the comeback with two goals and one assist. Larah Callhan scored the game-winning goal with three minutes left. Avery Schaeffer and Abby Lloyd recorded one assist each.
“We switched some people around in this game and it worked well,” Shewmaker said. “We connected better in the midfield.”
Brossart travels to Simon Kenton (3-0) on Wednesday at 8 p.m. Conner also plays again Wednesday at Newport Central Catholic (0-5) at 7:45 p.m.
Holy Cross 1, Ryle 0
The Indians (2-1) left Union with a second straight shutout, beating the Raiders (1-2) in the pouring rain.
Ryle outshot Holy Cross, 11-5. Holy Cross stood tall as Suzette Klaiss stopped all 11 Raider shots for the clean sheet.
Holy Cross plays on grass on its home field at Eva Farris Field. But the Indians consistently play on turf fields on the road.
“It was about slowing down, having an idea of what we wanted to do with the ball before it left their feet and trying just to play as confident as possible,” said Brittany Black, Holy Cross head coach. “We talk about it every day at practice. We play better on turf like most other teams. I’m not really surprised because the skill level is there.”
Holy Cross senior Ivy Hoffman took advantage of a one-on-one with 8:39 left in the game and scoring the game’s only goal. Hoffman has a team-high four goals and one assist this year.
“You just have to remain calm and play,” Hoffman said. “I kind of just block everything out and see the goal, trying to find the back of the net. I don’t really think in one-on-ones. It looks easy, but it’s a lot of pressure and pretty difficult to finish.”
Both teams play Wednesday at 7 p.m. Holy Cross travels to Campbell County (2-1-1) and Ryle travels to Oldham County.
Campbell County 1, Beechwood 0
The host Camels improved to 2-1-1 on the season, allowing one goal through their first four games of the season.
Ryan Weghorn had the lone goal in the contest, Jozie Holmes recording the assist. Abi Medaugh and Morgan Roomes combined for the shutout in net.
The Camels host Holy Cross on Wednesday their next time out at 7 p.m.
Beechwood dropped their first game of the season and now sit at 2-1. Brooke Fowee had five saves, the Tigers outshooting the Camels 6-5 in the contest. They return to action on Wednesday in a 35th District tilt with Notre Dame at 7 p.m. in Park Hills.
Other Girls Soccer Scores
Cooper 9, Bryan Station 0
Holmes 4, Dayton 3
Villa Madonna 2, Ludlow 0
Mason County 5, Calvary Christian 2
Walton-Verona 4, Newport Central Catholic 1
Scott 1, Boone County 0
Boys Soccer Scores
Covington Catholic 4, Boone County 1
Holmes 3, Calvary Christian 1
Walton-Verona 4, Henry County 1
Volleyball
Lexington Dunbar 3, Ryle 2
The Raiders put up a battle against the defending state runner-up Bulldogs, even without their injured standout senior hitter Kiana Dinn.
But Ryle came up short losing the fifth game, 15-7. Ryle rallied down after losing the first two games 25-20, 25-19 to win the second games 25-14, 25-16.
Lucy Trapp had a giant game in her Ryle debut with 18 kills, two blocks and two aces. Morgan Heater had 42 assists with Alexis Woolf digging up 17 balls. Abby Lester had 13 kills and two blocks with Olivia Karlosky landing two aces.
Ryle plays at Newport Central Catholic on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Other Volleyball Scores
St. Henry 2, Ludlow 0 (25-8, 25-7)
Dayton 3, Newport 0 (25-13, 25-14, 25-13)
Scott 2, Bracken County 0 (25-6, 25-15)
Trimble County 2, Walton-Verona 0 (25-19, 25-11)