A controversial call led to the game’s lone goal Saturday afternoon, and it did not go in Columbus North’s favor.
Floyd Central’s Kendyl Rumple scored on an indirect kick in the 66th minuute after Bull Dogs goalkeeper Mallory Gilley was called for an illegal touch. That was the difference Saturday in the Highlanders’ 1-0 girls soccer victory.
On the play in question, Gilley gathered the ball and pushed it out in front of her with her hands, then picked it up. Gilley and North coach David Young were perplexed that she was whistled.
“I’ve never seen that called in high school soccer,” Young said. “Our goalkeeper does that pretty much every game. He said she had possession of the ball, initally, control of the ball. He said it was a handball in the box by the goalie; therefore, it’s an indirect kick.”
North (2-2-2) had chances to break the scoreless tie early in the second half. Highlanders keeper Kylie Koch made a diving save on a shot, then saved a point-blank shot off a corner kick in the first three minutes of the second half. Koch then saved a shot on a breakaway by Maddi Rutan after Rutan had taken a lead pass from Lauren Barker in the 59th minute.
Floyd Central had put two shots off the crossbar and held the Bull Dogs without a shot on goal in the first half. North had a 13-1 advantage in corner kicks for the game.
“We got into the girls a little bit (at halftime), told them to wake up,” Young said. “The second half was pretty much in our control, and at the end of the day, you have to finish your opportunities.”
The Highlanders outshot the Bull Dogs 11-9, putting eight shots on goal to the Bull Dogs’ four. Gilley finished with seven saves.
“Obviously, you want to get the win,” Young said. “We played well enough to win. We definitely played well enough for a 0-0 tie. The fact that we were able to bounce back from Wednesday’s game with tired legs, playing Monday, Wednesday and now Saturday, I’m happy with the performance in the second half. The first half, definitely not happy.”
