TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – Senior Sam Larken scored a second-half goal that proved to be decisive on Saturday (Sept. 5), helping the Columbus North boys soccer team post a 2-1 victory at Terre Haute South.

                The Bull Dogs improved to 3-1-3 overall and 2-0-1 in Conference Indiana with the decision. The host Braves fell to 3-3-2 and 1-3-0.

                Columbus North led 1-0 at intermission on the strength of a goal by sophomore Mateo Mendez in the 21st minute. Junior Nathan White started the play by stealing the off a THS free kick outside the hosts 18. He then passed to Mendez on the left side of the 18, who dribbled to the 12 and beat Braves goalkeeper in a 1-v-1 situation.

                Larken doubled the Bull Dogs’ advantage in the 56th minute with an unassisted tally. He intercepted ball deep on the left side and eluded several defenders with dribble moves along the sideline. Larken then lofted a centering shot that got caught by the wind and drifted into the back side of the net.

                Terre Haute South cut its deficit in half in the 62nd minute when junior Ashton Hayne headed a cross by senior Isaac Hale in to the net. However, senior goalkeeper Colvin Iorio and the Columbus North defense succeeded in preventing an equalizer over the final 18 minutes.

                Iorio played all 80 minutes in the nets, making two saves.

                Columbus North finished with 14 shots, including six shots on goal. Terre Haute South tallied 12 shots with three shots on goal.

                In the JV game, sophomore Nathan Imlay scored in the seventh minute to lift the Bull Dogs to a 1-0 decision. Sophomore Oscar Ballinas started the play with a free kick from 35 yards out. Freshman Raul Oliveira then headed the ball to the middle, where Imlay found the net from 8 yards out. Sophomore Lukas Iorio and freshman Dylan Diaz shared the shutout, Iorio making five saves and Diaz making none as the Bull Dogs’ JV improved to 4-2-1.

                Columbus North returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 8) when it faces Perry Meridian at Mary Bryan Elementary School in Indianapolis. The JV game begins at 6 p.m., and the varsity follows about 7:30 p.m. The Bull Dogs follow by hosting Carmel on Friday (Sept. 11) at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.

AT TERRE HAUTE SOUTH

Columbus North ….…. 1   1 – 2

Terre Haute South ….. 0   1 – 1

                CN – Mateo Mendez (Nathan White), 21st minute

                CN – Sam Larken (unassisted), 56th minute

                THS – Ashton Hayne (Isaac Hale), 62nd minute

                PHOTO: Senior Sam Larken (7) chases a loose ball during the Bull Dogs' game at Terre Haute South on Sept. 5, 2020. Larken scored what proved to be the game-winning goal as Columbus North edged the Braves 2-1.