Regional Rout: Bull Dogs blank Highlanders for title, advance to semistate

Anthony Johnson, right, leads the team in celebration after receiving the regional tropyh after defeating Floyd Central at Bloomington South.

Chris Williams | For The Republic

BLOOMINGTON — The first dozen semistate qualifiers in the history of Columbus North boys soccer possessed specific qualities that fueled its success.

Lucky No. 13 is no different.

On Saturday, the fourth-ranked Bull Dogs again leaned on their defense to blank Floyd Central 5-0 in a Class 3A regional final played on Bloomington South’s grass field.

In doing so, coach Andy Glover’s squad (18-1-1) is one of four teams left standing for the first time in six years. North will play Cathedral, a program it defeated 1-0 back on Sept. 1, on Saturday in the semistate at Seymour.

Asked what makes this group so special, Glover didn’t hesitate.

“Team defending,” Glover said. “Honestly, that’s our strong point. We defend heavy with all 11 pieces and tend to attack better. The first goal (a breakaway by junior midfielder Nico Gotoh in the 26th minute) was a little sketchy, to be honest.

“That was some bad luck,” he added. “The ball bounces funny sometimes, but I do believe good defending creates good luck. The heavy, positive proactive defending in the attacking end created that moment for us.”

The Bull Dogs led 1-0 at the half.

However, the final 40 minutes saw North consistently separate itself from the Highlanders, a squad the Bull Dogs downed 2-1 during the regular season.

Nearly four minutes into the second half, junior Obed Oliva scored. Senior forward Nathan Imlay made it a 3-0 game with his goal from the right side in the 55th minute. North’s final two goals were by junior Misaki Takemoto in the 64th minute and senior co-captain Flynn Keele in the 66th minute.

“I feel like we’re just one whole team together. We’re like a family,” Imlay said. “When we play together, we play very well, especially today. I mean, 5-0, we played together very well.

“I don’t think this was our best game of the season,” he added. “The first half, it was a roughhouse game. The second half was definitely way better. We are really on top of people when we defend.”

Saturday marked the 10th time this season the Bull Dogs, behind goalkeepers Oscar Ballinas and Max Grewe, shut out the opponent.

Afterward, North players and coaches gathered in front of one of the goals to pose for photos. The regional trophy was front and center, held by smiling senior co-captain Anthony Johnson.

“This is something I’m experiencing for the first time. It feels surreal,” Johnson said. “It’s Step 5 of seven. The other two are semistate and state. It feels great.”