Columbus North High School

October 13, 2022 - One key to beating good soccer teams on their own pitch is jumping out early. The fourth-ranked Bull Dogs did exactly that with three first-half goals against Center Grove in the Regional Semifinals en route to a 3-1 victory. The Dogs were very aggressive, dumping the ball into their offensive zone all night, and it paid off against defensive miscues by the Trojans. The Trojans used their size to control most of the headers throughout the match, but they could not contend with the speed that Columbus North showed sprinting to loose balls and passes. Christian Cardoso got the Dogs (17-1-1) on the board in the tenth minute off a pass from Nathan Imlay. Cardoso then assisted Aidan Whitley for a 17th-minute goal to put the Bull Dogs up 2-0 midway through the first half. Imlay then made the score 3-0 with a goal off a Flynn Keele assist in the 32nd minute. The Trojans (10-6-2) gained some momentum with a goal coming off a corner kick with just twelve seconds left in the first half, but the Bull Dogs held them scoreless the rest of the way to advance to Saturday’s Regional Finals against Floyd Central (13-4-3). Oscar Ballinas recorded two first-half saves and Max Grewe tallied four second-half saves as the two split time in goal for the Bull Dogs. For the match, North outshot Center Grove 15-9, with an 8-7 advantage in shots-on-goal. Saturday’s Regional Finals against Floyd Central (4:00 pm start at Bloomington South High School) will be a rematch of a 2-1 Bull Dog victory at Floyd Central on September 22. Photo: Christian Cardoso had a goal and an assist for the Bull Dogs as they defeated Center Grove 3-1 to advance to Saturday’s Regional Final against Floyd Central.