The Columbus North girls soccer team came into Wednesday night’s match with a limited roster against the undefeated Class 3A No. 15-ranked East Central, but the 3A No. 9 Bull Dogs held their own in a defensive grudge match.
Both teams had a couple of opportunities to score, but neither walked away with a goal in the 0-0 tie. This is North’s third consecutive game without a win, but the Bull Dogs handed the Trojans their first blemish of the season.
North coach Derek Stewart said his team was a lot more aggressive against East Central.
“The girls wanted to play harder, so that was good to see,” Stewart said. “That’s the third game in five days, and there was limited substitution tonight. I think they did well tonight. I was very pleased with them.”
Both Anna Andrews and Morgan Blankenhorn were out with injuries for North (7-2-2). The Trojans (10-0-1) outshot the Bull Dogs in the first half with five shots on goal to North’s one.
East Central nearly had a goal midway through the first half when the ball hit the left post and almost bounced in.
Trojans goalkeeper Jessica Shipman showed her athleticism in the 65th minute by jumping high to knock down a Bull Dogs shot that looked like it was on it’s way in. East Central had another near goal in the 75th minute on a head shot that was blocked by North goalkeeper Liz Tynan.
The Bull Dogs did a better job of controlling possession in final 40 minutes and matched the Trojans with two shots on goal in the second half. Stewart said he felt the players got a little fatigued toward the end of the second half.
“You could see the girls getting tired, but they hung in there and played a great game,” Stewart said. “I’m very proud of them.”
Tynan finished with seven saves on East Central’s seven shots on goal. Shipman had three saves on the Bull Dogs’ three shots on goal.
