Published: October 22, 2009 01:21 am      

GIRLS' SOCCER: Highlanders’ strong effort ends in 1-0 loss to North in regional

COLUMBUS—Columbus North’s girls soccer team came away with a regional title with a 1-0 win against Floyd Central on Wednesday.

But more importantly for the No. 10 Bull Dogs (18-2-1), they came away challenged.

Floyd Central, who had lost to North by a combined score of 7-0 the past two years in the regional, kept the pressure on the Bull Dogs throughout the match.

“We had to adapt,” North co-head coach Kenrick Ramirez said. “(In the sectional), there were situations where — even if we made mistakes — we still came through with a victory.

“Today, we loved the way (Floyd) pressured and we loved their energy.”

Yet, North fought through that pressure to pepper the Highlanders’ goal with shots in the first half. Floyd’s Nikki Roberts saved six shots and one North strike sailed off the crossbar as the match was scoreless at the half.

Floyd Central coach Lewie Stevens acknowledged the Highlanders’ sacrificed offense to focus their attention on North’s skilled midfielders and forwards.

The Bull Dogs finally broke through in the opening minutes of the second half as Kayleigh Steigerwalt scored off an assist from Kelsie Carlson.

With the lead, North further controlled play as Floyd could muster only two shots on net.

“They move the ball so nicely, but also move off the ball so nicely,” Stevens said. “It makes it difficult for us to do the things that we want to do offensively and still be aware of them defensively.”

Roberts finished with nine saves for the Highlanders.

Stevens said he was pleased with his team’s performance despite the loss.

“I don’t want to say it was our best effort of the season because we didn’t win, but the girls rose to the occasion,” he said. “We’re real proud of the effort they gave.”

North will play Washington at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Evansville Central Semistate. North has never advanced to the State Finals.

“We look forward to the challenge,” North co-coach Mike Spock said. “They worked hard for it and now they’re ready to go give it their all.”

The Highlanders’ season ended with a 12-6-4 mark.