RIVERSIDE

Continuing to one up themselves on offense, the undefeated Huskies (3-0) reached a new season high in the scoring department with a 4-0 home win over Sigourney-Keota (0-3) on April 8.

“We’re just playing more aggressively. We’re believing in our attacks a little more,” Highland head coach Dylan Stewart said about the offense. “The last couple years we’ve been trying to figure out our defense, and now we’re really trying to get our attack going and, obviously, it’s paying off for us.”

Showing how versatile and effective this Highland offense can be, the Huskies scored three goals in the first half and they all came from different players.

With just under 15 minutes left before the half, Jaydee Macareno got Highland on the board with her first goal of the season, a successful penalty kick. About two minutes later Jose Ramirez scored his first goal of the year to double-up Highland’s lead.

To cap off the scoring attack in the first half, Sage Hartley-Norman also found the back of the net to bring Highland up 3-0 going into halftime.

“I was just at the right place at the right time,” Hartley-Norman said of his first-half goal. “We were crossing them up and I was just right there for the goal.”

Seven minutes into the second half it was an encore performance for Hartley-Norman as he scored what ended up being the last goal of the game. With his two-goal performance, Hartley-Norman is now tied for the team lead (3) along with fellow senior Jared Diaz.

While the Highland offense deserved some well earned praise, the same can be said of the defense which allowed zero goals through for the second time this season. Senior goalkeeper Ayden Havel ended the day with five saves.

“Overall, we’re really starting to gel, and hopefully we can keep it up,” coach Stewart said of the defense. “They played awesome tonight. Just got to keep them at bay and keep the shots limited on Havel, and he’ll do the rest.”

“Our defense is playing well. They’re all playing together, all communicating,” Hartley-Norman said. “Making sure they are all in the right spot so nobody can break through and they’re just doing a really good job right now.”

Highland 10, Wapello 0

Scoring early and often to end the contest at the half, Highland (4-0) kept its undefeated season alive with a mercy rule victory on the road over conference foe Wapello (0-4) last Thursday.

“It was a good team win, I thought we moved the ball very effectively while staying patient and allowing play to develop,” Highland coach Dylan Stewart said about the win.

With 10 goals being a new season high, all of Highland’s goals came in the first half with Jared Diaz and Jose Ramirez combining for eight of those scores. 

It did not take long for Diaz to find the net. Three minutes into the game he scored Highland’s first goal. Over the course of the first half he added three more goals to his total. On the season Diaz leads Highland with seven goals.

“Jared really anchored the game with his four goals and one assist,” coach Stewart said. “He does a lot for this team in terms of creating opportunities.”

There were opportunities aplenty for the Huskies as Ramirez put together his own four goal performance

Seniors Logan McFarland and Angel Avendano also found the back of the net while both recording an assist. Leading the team in assists with three was fellow senior Jaydee Macareno.

“Jaydee played very effectively in the mid ending with three assists showing off her great vision,” coach Stewart said. “Logan and Angel turned out great performances both getting goals and assists.”

On the defensive side it was another clean sheet, Highland’s third of the season, for goalkeeper Ayden Havel as the senior tallied five saves.

“Happy for the team,” coach Stewart said. “I thought the effort was great and we are looking to continue to build momentum as the season progresses.”

Columbus 2, Highland 1

With all the scoring coming in the first half, the visiting Wildcats of Columbus (3-2) handed the Huskies (4-1) their first loss of the season last Monday.

Nine minutes into the game, Columbus junior Sachiel Villagrana scored to give the Wildcats the lead. Doubling up, 11 minutes later, Villagrana found the back of the net once again.

Trailing by two, the Huskies cut their deficit to one with 16 minutes left to go before half when Sage Hartley-Norman scored his fourth goal of the season.

Defense reigned in the second half, as both teams protected their nets for the remainder of the game to give Columbus its third win of the season.

Up next for Highland is going on the road for a matchup against Sigourney-Keota on April 15.