Columbus North High School

September 6, 2023 - Christian Cardoso scored two goals in the first seven minutes as Columbus North beat Perry Meridian 3-1 in varsity boys soccer on Tuesday evening. Lightning caused a 30-minute delay at the start of the match, but the Dogs (6-1-2) hit the pitch ready to play, jumping out to a quick lead against a very quick Falcon squad. Cardoso converted a penalty kick in the fifth minute, and then followed it with a header off of a corner kick by Misaki Takemoto to put the Bull Dogs up 2-0. The Bull Dogs made it 3-0 just before halftime as Nico Gotoh took an Aidan Whitley assist and scorched it past the Falcon keeper. Perry Meridian got on the board early in the second half to cut the lead to 3-1, but were unable to get closer as the Dogs’ aggressive defense prevented many second-half shots from the Falcons. The Bull Dogs out-shot the Falcons 20-10, but Perry Meridian made North keeper Juan Jose Salcedo Calderon work hard, especially in the first half, tallying seven shots on goal, compared to North’s five. Salcedo Calderon was credited with six saves in 80 minutes of work in goal. In the early match, Perry Meridian and North battled to a 1-1 draw. The Bull Dogs will travel to Carmel on Friday evening, with JV beginning at 6:00. Photo: Christian Cardoso elevates for a first-half headed goal off of a corner kick by Misaki Takemoto. Cardoso scored a pair of goals in a 3-1 Bull Dog victory.