Columbus North and East Central played about as even as they possibly could in Monday night’s boys soccer matchup.
The difference in the game is that the Trojans converted that one extra opportunity.
East Central converted on two first half goals, and even though the Bull Dogs gave themselves several chances with a late game goal but it was too little too late, resulting in a 2-1 defeat.
North (3-3-4) controlled the majority of the possession in the first 10 minutes of the game, but couldn’t cash in on a couple of chances. East Central (7-1-1) finally found its rhythm, and unlike the Bull Dogs, they were able to convert on the opportunities given.
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East Central had a great opportunity to break the scoreless tie in the 17th minute when JT Roden received the ball forward and found himself one-on-one with North goalkeeper Colvin Iorio. The battle was won by Iorio making the tip save, but the Trojans were given an opportunity with a corner kick.
Off the corner kick, the ball went to Eric Puterbaugh on the right side of the goal box. His hard boot sailed past Iorio and into the net off the far post to take a 1-0 advantage in the 18th minute.
The Trojans doubled their lead in the 29th minute when there was a Bull Dogs miscue on the backline that caused a turnover. Chance Muncy took a couple touches following the turnover, and his shot was deflected, but Brady Spangler was in the right spot to collect the rebound to increase the lead to 2-0, and that score held up at the break.
The Bull Dogs came out of the break playing with much more energy and intensity and had several chances to get on the scoreboard, but Trojans goalkeeper Landen Weis made plenty of saves in the second half to preserve the shutout.
However, with all the chances North had in the second half, the breakthrough finally came in the 79th minute when Jesse Williams took a couple dribbles and made a juke past a defender, and his shot hit the top of the crossbar and bounced into the net. But time ran out for the chance at an equalizing goal.
