<p>Center Grove’s boys soccer coach Jameson McLaughlin came into the season having never lost against conference rival Carmel.</p>
<p>His Trojans extended that unbeaten string by winning a heated 2-0 battle on their home turf Thursday night.</p>
<p>“I like it; I won’t lie,” McLaughlin said. “My wife is a Carmel grad, so it gives me bragging rights at home. But I take a lot of pride in beating them, because they’ve been a standard in Indiana soccer for a long, long time.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
<p>“And it’s our rival. If you don’t take pride in beating your rival, what are you going to take pride in?”</p>
<p>The Class 4A No. 12 Greyhounds had more shots on goal in the first half, but eighth-ranked Center Grove had the only one that mattered.</p>
<p>Cooper Livermore sent a pass forward to Colin Parry, who got into the box on the right side and delivered a short pass right back to Livermore. The senior easily beat Carmel netminder Gabe Moorman with a low shot to the left side just 7:07 into the match.</p>
<p>“They hadn’t won a game yet,” Livermore said, “so we wanted to get up quick, wanted to get a goal quick to get their hopes down, and that’s exactly what we did.”</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Center Grove goalie Ian Rowe kept the visitors at bay by making three first-half stops, including a diving chance just minutes after Livermore’s goal.</p>
<p>The Trojans (5-1, 2-0 MIC) added some insurance with 17:05 to go in the match. Jeet Kekre’s pass forward snuck its way through Carmel’s back line, and Carter Zuch got to the loose ball just before Moorman, punching the ball into the open net.</p>
<p>Emotions started running high in the second half, with a skirmish just seconds after Zuch’s goal leading to a stoppage in play and multiple yellow cards being distributed. But Center Grove was able to maintain its composure, and the lead, down the stretch.</p>
<p>The victory improved McLaughlin to 5-0-1 against the Greyhounds and gave the Trojans the inside lane in the race for another conference title.</p>
<p>“It was just a huge win,” Livermore said. “We’re looking to finish off the MIC just like last year.”</p>
<p>Center Grove plays a nonconference match against Columbus North Tuesday before traveling to No. 3 North Central for a key league showdown two days later.</p>
