Columbus North’s Konnor Gribbins, left, Center Grove’s Ely Detty, center, and North’s Thomas De La Cruz go up for a header as North’s Leo Iorio, left, looks on during a regional semifinal soccer match at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
While a group of mostly seniors has provided the offensive firepower for Columbus North this boys soccer season, it’s been a collection of mostly underclassmen that has held down the fort on the defensive end for the Bull Dogs.
One sophomore, five juniors and a senior have combined to fill the five defensive spots in front of junior goalkeepers Juan Jose Salcedo Calderon and Noah Marsh. Together, they’ve been able to keep opposing teams from putting up multiple goals in all but four matches this season.
“The defensive structure of all players, in front of even the back line, is quite good,” North coach Andy Glover said. “They’re very organized, and it takes a ton of discipline. That’s one thing you can control as a team — your defensive structure, and I feel that they do very well getting the right pieces in the right places. I like their composure.”
The Class 3A No. 10 Bull Dogs (14-3-3) will play 3A No. 11 Cathedral (16-4-2) in the Columbus East Semistate at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the BCSC Soccer Complex. The winner advances to the state final.
Columbus North’s Sam Brown heads the ball as Leo Iorio, left, looks on during a regional semifinal soccer match against Center Grove at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
North advanced to the semistate with a 2-0 win against Floyd Central in Saturday’s Bloomington South Regional final. It was the first shutout of the postseason for the Bull Dogs.
“I feel like every game, we’ve been working hard,” sophomore center back Leo Iorio said. ‘“We’ve tried to help the team, trying to keep clean sheets.”
“I think a clean sheet is good, but at the end of the day, a win is a win, and we keep producing that,” junior Bryan Rodriguez added.
Columbus North’s Bryan Rodriguez, right, heads upfield against Franklin’s Brayden Petro, in the sectional semifinals at Columbus North, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023.
Paige Grider for The Republic
Junior center back Konnor Gribbins helped preserve the shutout on Saturday when he cleared a ball that was headed into the net in what at that time was a scoreless game midway through the second half.
“I just always get on the goal line because you never know when it’s going to slip past the keeper,” Gribbins said.
Iorio and Gribbins are the starting center backs. Both started last year, when North made a run to the 3A state title game.
“We’ve played center back together for years for clubs,” Iorio said. “It kind of feels natural. We know how each other plays. On and off the field, I feel like we have a connection.”
The other returning starter and full time starter this season is junior Thomas “Tito” De La Cruz. A starting outside back last season, De La Cruz moved to to the defensive midfield spot this year, but also has filled in at left and right back.
“I just help where I’m needed,” De La Cruz said. “I just play here, play there and help the team.”
“Tito De La Cruz has been exceptional,” Glover added. “For a guy to be able to play in both of those places and just switch it is unbelievable. We put him where we need him, which means he’ll do anything he can to help the team.”
Columbus North’s Derek Arau Ortiz passes the ball during a sectional soccer match against Greenwood at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Rodriguez, junior Sam Brown and senior Derek Arau Ortiz have rotated at the left and right back spots, and Brown also plays some defensive midfield. Junior Aidan Espejel has provided depth at center back.
Columbus North’s Adian Espejel kicks the ball during a sectional final soccer match against Roncalli at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. North defeated Roncalli 4-2 to win the sectional title.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
The defensive unit has allowed 21 goals in 20 games this season.
“I think that’s just been our biggest focus every game, coming in — just making sure we play hard and making sure we keep up the defensive effort throughout both halves,” Arau Ortiz said.
Iorio is glad to be back on the field this year after missing most of last year’s postseason with an ankle injury.
“Last year was a bummer,” Iorio said. “I hurt my ankle going into the tournament and then hurt it again in here in the (Bloomington South) regional. I’m just glad to be back and be part of the team and help on this run. Hopefully, we can finish it off with a state title.”
