Columbus North girls soccer showed great ball movement and communication Monday in its matchup against Westfield at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.
The Class 3A No. 20 Bull Dogs picked up a goal in the first half and another in the second half to pick up the 2-0 victory.
The game started a little bit later than originally scheduled due to Westfield arriving a little later than expected. To prevent it from being a very late evening on a school night, both schools decided to only play one half of junior varsity and then a 10-minute intermission before starting the varsity match.
Regardless of the late start, North found a way to get on the scoreboard.
In the 14th minute, KJ Ely had an opportunity for goal, but her shot was just off target. On the ensuing goal kick by the Shamrocks, Jenna Lang won the possession back and called her own number, and her kick just snuck inside the right post to give the Bull Dogs a 1-0 lead. The score remained that way the rest of the first half.
In the 46th minute, Westfield looked to have the equalizer when a shot attempt hit the top of the crossbar and bounced back down. After the referee didn’t signal for the goal, North keeper Mallory Gilley grabbed the ball before the Shamrocks could respond.
The Bull Dogs got the insurance goal they needed in the 64th minute when Caroline Hollenkamp floated a perfect pass where only Lauren Barker could get the touch, and she finished by kicking the ball into the net for a 2-0 lead.
“I saw (Hollenkamp) raise her head, and I knew that I had to make a quick run in front of that defender to beat her,” Barker said. “I got a good first touch, and I finished it in the corner.”
Despite many attempts from the Shamrocks, North (6-1) preserved the shutout and its sixth consecutive win.
“Everyone knows that anything can happen in the second half. If they would have gotten another goal there, it would have been tied up,” Barker said. “I’m glad that we were able to get that second goal. That was critical. I’m glad we were able to finish them off.”
North outshot Westfield 15-5. Gilley finished with five saves in the shutout.
