COLUMBUS, Ind. – Freshman Aidan Whitley scored three goals and added two assists Saturday (Sept. 19), and the Columbus North boys soccer team used an early second-half flurry to roll to a 7-0 victory over Terre Haute North at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.

                Junior Nathan White contributed a goal and three assists as the Bull Dogs improved to 4-3-4 overall and to 3-0-1 in Conference Indiana contests. The visiting Patriots dropped to 5-7-0 overall and completed league play at 2-3-0.

                The victory gives Columbus North 10 points in the standings -- three points for a victory, one point for a tie -- and clinches the CI championship. Based on other league results, the most points any other team can achieve this season is nine points, the Bull Dogs thus earning the league title for the sixth time. CN previously won or shared CI titles in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2014.

                Junior Jesse Williams, sophomore Mateo Mendez and freshman Christian Cardoso also scored for Columbus North. Sophomore Flynn Keele provided two assists, and senior Sam Larken had one assist for the Bull Dogs. Senior Colvin Iorio and sophomore Lukas Iorio combined for the shutout as CN goalkeepers.

                Williams opened the scoring in the game’s third minute when he found the net with a header off a White corner kick. Whitley made it 2-0 in the 16th minute, scoring from about 13 yards out after receiving a Larken pass from the right wing.

                The Bull Dogs just exploded early in the second half, scoring four times in four minutes with Whitley having a hand – er, foot – in each of the goals.

                Whitley passed a through ball to White, who finished from about 8 yards out in the 42nd minute. Moments later, Whitley sent a long pass to Mendez, who slid past one defender and then beat the THN goalkeeper from about 17 yards out.

                In the 45th minute, Keele sent a cross from the left side that skimmed off White’s head to Whitley, who scored from 12 yards out. Then in the same minute, White found Whitley for yet another goal.

                Cardoso completed the scoring in the 64th minute, tapping in a Keele cross from about 5 yards out.

                Colvin Iorio played the first 73 minutes in the nets, making five saves. Lukas Iorio played the final seven minutes in goal.

                Columbus North finished with 41 shots and 15 shots on goal. The Patriots countered with six shots and five shots on goal.

                At the JV level, sophomore Nathan Imlay produced a hat trick as the Bull Dogs posted a 6-0 triumph. Sophomore Trent Liggett, freshman Marco Figueroa and freshman Jack Warble also found the net as CN improved to 6-2-3. Sophomore Michael Wolf and freshman Ary Arroyo each provided two assists. Lukas Iorio and freshman Christopher Perez each played one half in the nets to share the shutout.

                Columbus North returns to action on Tuesday (Sept. 22) when they visit Bloomington South for another CI encounter. The JV game begins at 6 p.m., and the varsity follows about 7:30 p.m. The Bull Dogs follow by competing in the Zionsville Classic next Saturday (Sept. 26).

AT RICHARD WIGH SOCCER COMPLEX

Terre Haute North ……. 0   0 – 0

Columbus North …….…. 2   5 – 7

                CN – Jesse Williams (Nathan White), 3rd minute

                CN – Aidan Whitley (Sam Larken), 16th minute

                CN – Nathan White (Aidan Whitley), 42nd minute

                CN – Mateo Mendez (Aidan Whitley), 43rd minute

                CN – Aidan Whitley (Flynn Keele, Nathan White), 45th minute

                CN – Aidan Whitley (Nathan White), 45th minute

                CN – Christian Cardosa (Flynn Keele), 64th minute

                PHOTO: Freshman Aidan Whitley scored three goals and added two assists as the Bull Dogs defeated Terre Haute North 7-0 on Sept. 19, 2020.