COLUMBUS
No one could have imagined that a game of pinball late in the boys soccer match would be the decider between Class 3A No. 17 Center Grove and No. 10 Columbus North Tuesday night at the BCSC Soccer Complex.
In the 74th minute, a corner kick was awarded to the Bull Dogs. A sloppy corner kick went very low in the box and several kicks and deflections ensued. At the end of the sequence, the kick from Nico Gotoh hit a Trojan defender for the own goal to lift Columbus North to a 2-1 victory.
The match of top-20 teams definitely lived up to the billing. There is also the potential for a regional rematch in October should both teams win their respective sectionals.
Center Grove (3-3-1) had plenty of chances to grow the lead in the first half. A foul by Columbus North (6-0-1) just outside the goal box in the 35th minute hit the wall created by the Bull Dogs. A couple minutes later, a hand ball was called on Columbus North that awarded the Trojans a penalty kick. Bull Dog goalkeeper Max Grewe guessed incorrectly as Ely Detty’s kick went to the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
After a stalemate early in the second half, Columbus North got the equalizer needed. In the 56th minute, the Bull Dogs moved the ball around offensively, and Obed Oliva’s made the pass to Nathan Imlay, who finished the play as the kick went right through the hands of Trojan goalkeeper Devin McCormick to level the game at 1-1. That set the stage for the final goal.
Both teams were even in shots on goal with four apiece.
Next for Center Grove is a home matchup with North Central on Thursday.