Columbus North’s Grace Merritt heads the ball out of the box during Thursday’s sectional semifinal match against Center Grove at BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus.
Tommy Walker | For The Republic
Columbus North’s chances at pulling off an upset in Thursday’s Columbus East Sectional semifinals took a major hit less than two minutes into the game.
Center Grove’s Mia Marlin took a shot that went through the hands of Bull Dog goalkeeper Danika Hoehn and into the net for an early Trojan goal. Class 3A No. 14 Center Grove went on to add two more goals to post a 3-0 victory.
“It was definitely a smack in the face for the girls,” North coach David Young said. “You could definitely tell they were playing on their heels after that unexpected error. But it’s something you have to recover from as a team.”
Unfortunately for the 3A No. 19 Bull Dogs (13-3-1), they could not. Marlin scored again in the 22nd minute, and the Trojans (12-4-3) led 2-0 at halftime. Lexi Wilson added the third goal in the 50th minute.
“(The first goal) was big,” Center Grove coach Myron Vaughn said. “To be honest, we got a little fortunate with the way the goal happened, but that’s soccer for you. I was happy with the way the girls took that and ran with it. Even though we got a bit of fortune, sometimes that’s what you get. Sometimes, you get lucky; sometimes you’re unlucky; and we took it and ran with it and that was what was important.”
The Trojans outshot North 15-3, putting eight shots on goal to three for the Bull Dogs. Hoehn recorded five saves.
North’s otherwise stellar season was bookended by losses to Center Grove. The Trojans, who won 3-1 in the season opener in August, scored six of the seven goals that the Bull Dogs allowed this season.
“I think their play style was exactly what we were expecting,” Young said. “They’re a good team. They’re ranked 14th in the state for a reason, and they deserved to win.”
North loses 10 seniors, including four starters from Thursday.
“I’m extremely happy with the four years that the seniors put in,” Young said. “They’re a big reason why we’re where at right now, ranked 19th with 13 wins this season. Hopefully, the underclassmen can continue that on.”
