No. 10 Bull Dogs fall to No. 1 Noblesville in season opener

For the first 70 of the 80 minutes of Saturday afternoon’s boys soccer season opener, Class 3A No. 10 Columbus North played fairly even with 3A No. 1 and three-time defending state champion Noblesville.

But the Millers, who had scored a controversial goal in the 48th minute, picked up a second score in the 71st and went on to post a 2-0 victory at the BCSC Soccer Complex.

“It was a tale of two halves,” North coach Andy Glover said. “I was very pleased with the first 40 minutes, a little discontent with the last 40 minutes.”

Noblesville’s first goal came on a shot from Caden Rice that Bull Dog goalkeeper Juan Jose Saldeco Calderon tipped against the crossbar. The ball then came down and bounced before Salcedo Calderon picked it up. Officials ruled that the ball had crossed the goal line.

“I wish the linesman might have been in a little bit better position to rule it,” Glover said. “I’m not saying he’s wrong, but what I am suggesting is, his place to be is on the end line and not the 18.”

The Millers second goal came from Brady Frayer after a turnover in the back.

“It’s a game of moments and mistakes,” Glover said. “We made a mistake, and they buried their moment like a good team would. They are a good team, but I felt we had moments to put away in the first half that we should have that would have changed the context of the game,” Glover said. “Possession was good, and possession to penetration in the first half was really good. The second half, we just absorbed a lot of pressure, and to be honest, I don’t think we’re fit, which is a little disappointing because that’s a manageable thing.”

Noblesville finished with a 13-7 shot advantage, putting seven shots on goal to three for North. Salcedo Calderon recorded five saves.

“They are the No. 1 team in the state, three-time defending state champions, and we’re on that level,” Glover said. “So I’m pleased with that.”