Columbus North goalkeeper Noah Marsh reacts to a shot on goal during an IHSAA regional semifinal soccer match against Center Grove at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. North defeated Center Grove 3-2 despite playing a man down for a majority of the match.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Noah Marsh went through most of the offseason expecting to be the starting goalkeeper for Columbus North this boys soccer season.
But when Juan Jose Salcedo Calderon moved in from Columbia this summer, Marsh had to take a secondary role.
But Marsh never got discouraged. The junior waited for his chance and Wednesday night, he took advantage of the opportunity.
Filling in for Salcedo Calderon, who had received a red card in Saturday’s sectional final win against Roncalli, Marsh helped kept Center Grove from scoring its usual flurry of goals. He came up with three big saves in helping the Bull Dogs hang on for a 3-2 regional semifinal victory.
“He did a great job,” North coach Andy Glover said. “I’m super proud of him, and I know the team is, also. Coach (David) Green is the goalkeeper coach, and one thing he observed when J.J. came, Noah’s development curve got significantly steeper was faster. He really went from emerging to proficient a lot quicker. You never know what’s going to happen, and Noah has been persistent throughout the course of this season, and we’re very proud of his efforts individually and his efforts to contribute to the team’s success this evening and throughout the season.”
Marsh, who had filled in for a couple of games when Salcedo Calderon was out with a shoulder injury, had Monday and Tuesday to practice as the main goalkeeper.
“(Tuesday) at practice, I was feeling good,” Marsh said. “Then, it got to today, about an hour before game time, and I was feeling really nervous. I played these guys for one half. This was a full game. Once I got our here, I just had to calm myself down. I was really ready to play.”
Columbus North goalkeeper Noah Marsh picks up the ball during an IHSAA regional semifinal soccer match against Center Grove at the BCSC Soccer Complex in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. North defeated Center Grove 3-2 despite playing a man down for a majority of the match.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic
Going up 2-0 early helped calm Marsh’s nerves, but a red card in the 25th minute did not. That meant the Bull Dogs had to play a man down the final 55 minutes.
“It helped a lot, and then getting the third (goal) really helped me,” Marsh said. “That red card, though, made me a little anxious about how we were going to go into the rest of this game, especially with how early into the game it was.”
Noah Marsh
With Salcedo Calderon set to return for Saturday’s regional final game against Floyd Central at Bloomington South, it’s uncertain whether Marsh will get another shot in goal this season. But if he does, he and the Bull Dogs know he’ll be ready.
“If felt good,” Marsh said. “Even though I might not get to play the next few games, I’m proud that I was able to help our team make it to the regional finals.”
