Efrain De La Cruz, holding a plaque, and Allison Eudy, parents of the late Thomas De La Cruz were presented the plaque honoring Thomas at Saturday’s Columbus North boys soccer senior day activities at BCSC Soccer Complex.
Ted Schultz | The Republic
Senior Days are usually tough enough emotionally, but Columbus North’s boys soccer Senior Day on Saturday yielded even more emotion.
Tears flowed as fill-in public address announcer Jim Roeder read the accomplishments of Thomas (Tito) De La Cruz at the end of the Bull Dogs’ 11-player senior class. De La Cruz died in a car accident in July, a week before his senior year was to start.
“It’s a super emotional day,” said senior Ben Stevens after scoring his first career goal to cap a 6-0 Conference Indiana win against Terre Haute North. “So just to finish the game off with a bang and really put them away, I think it means a lot to everyone. Before the game, we were all tearing up, so to end the game with all of us being excited and happy and cheering, it’s just a great feeling.”
Ben Stevens
Stevens was one of three Bull Dog seniors to score. Madux Tovey had the first goal in the 16th minute off an assist from fellow senior Bryan Rodriguez.
Madux Tovey
“It started off the game nicely and made us want to keep driving to score,” Tovey said. “We did it for Tito.”
Bryan Rodriguez
Rodriguez netted the next two goals. He finished off an assist from Jonah Sipes in the 22nd minute and converted a free kick in the 27th minute, and Class 3A No. 6 Columbus North (8-3-1, 2-0) led 3-0 at halftime.
“It’s very special, especially on Senior Day for sure,” Rodriguez said. “Everybody out here, my parents, my family, everybody, and especially doing it for Thomas was great. It was emotional. It’s upsetting that he’s not with us, but knowing we got the ‘W’ for him is great.”
Junior Leo Iorio knocked in a free kick from freshman Luccas Peda in the 54th minute. Edwin De La Cruz (no relation to Thomas) scored off an assist from fellow freshman Parker Gribbins in the 56th minute. Stevens then put away a cross from fellow senior Jesus Olivo in the 79th minute.
The Bull Dogs outshot the Patriots 37-0, putting 18 shots on goal. Seniors Noah Marsh and Juan Jose Salcedo Calderon each played a half in goal, with neither facing a shot.
“I think it was important for the boys to put together a good performance in recognition of their dear friend Thomas,” North coach Andy Glover said. “It was a balanced performance. It was very much a total team approach today.”
