Columbus North's Anthony Johnson (5), Flynn Keele (4) and the rest of the team celebrates with the championship trophy after winning 3-1 against Franklin at the Roncalli Sectional final on Saturday October 8,2022.
Rob Baker | For The Republic
INDIANAPOLIS — For the second time in the past two sectional games, Class 3A No. 4 Columbus North found itself staring at a 1-0 deficit.
But just as they did in Wednesday’s semifinal against Roncalli, the Bull Dogs were able to overcome that deficit in Saturday night’s final against Franklin. Nico Gotoh scored two goals, and Aidan Whitley added the clincher to give North a 3-1 victory and its first boys soccer sectional title since 2016.
“I don’t like that we gave up goals in the early running, but I’m really proud of the team coming back from a deficit against two good teams,” North coach Andy Glover said. “That shows that we’re determined and gritty and can be disciplined when our backs are against the wall. It did bring the team to life, and I’m proud of them overcoming another obstacle.”
The win puts the Bull Dogs (16-1-1) in Wednesday’s regional semifinal against Center Grove, a 3-2 winner over Bloomington South. The winner plays in the regional final to be hosted by Bloomington South on Saturday.
The Grizzly Cubs (13-2-3) got on the board in the 12th minute on a goal by J.D. Sever.
That goal seemed to bring North to life. The Bull Dogs began attacking and got the equalizer in the 28th minute when Gotoh headed in a corner kick from Flynn Keele.
“We didn’t want to be chasing the game, and it was early,” Glover said. “So we felt that we could take a little bit more of a proactive risk going forward, and it played out well. To be honest, over time between the 18s, we were playing really well and finding ways to get in behind them.”
After halftime, North took the lead in the 47th minute when Gotoh and a Franklin defender were chasing a through ball sent forward by Whitley. The Grizzly Cub missed, and Gotoh had a one-on-one with keeper Adam Ott, and Gotoh put it away.
“It felt amazing,” Gotoh said. When we came here, I never thought I’d score two goals, but I was in the right place at the right time.”
Whitley then provided the dagger in the 68th minute when he stole a Franklin pass, dribbled to the right corner of the box near the end line and slid one inside the far post.
“I feel like that was a good nail in the coffin,” Whitley said. “We were already up 2-1, and that third one really gave us a confidence boost and might have had them lower their heads a little bit. It really helped out in the final closing minutes.”
The Bull Dogs outshot the Grizzly Cubs 14-10. North put 10 shots on goal to five for Franklin.
Oscar Ballinas and Max Grewe each played a half in goal for the Bull Dogs. Ballinas posted three saves in the first half, and Grewe added one save in the second half.
“I think it’s a good statement we made,” Gotoh said. “The last two games, we went down 1-nil to begin, and I think we came up with a good response.”
“I thought we had some pretty good spurts,” Whitley added. “We showcased that we can play.”
