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Bulldogs win state title after another scoreless draw, another shootout win
Updated: October 29, 2011 10:24PM
INDIANAPOLIS — Once, twice, three times for a state championship.
Crown Point defeated Columbus North 4-2 in penalty kicks for the Class 2A title on Saturday night at Kuntz Stadium, after the teams had played to a scoreless tie through regulation and overtime. The Bulldogs (16-6-2) had won both of their semistate games last weekend in PKs after scoreless draws.
And they did it again on the biggest stage.
“These guys have worked extremely hard,” Crown Point coach JR Rosenbaum said. “They deserved it. We haven’t been able to put the ball in the net, but our defense has been great.
“We got it done when it counted.”
Christian Lomeli made two saves in the penalty kicks, stopping the first and fourth shots by Columbus North (18-3-2). And unlike Crown Point’s previous two victories in PKs, it was junior midfielder Alex Fenn who buried the decisive shot, not Lomeli, touching off the celebration — well, actually the second celebration.
“I wasn’t feeling too good throughout the second half,” Fenn said. “A lot of things went through my mind. But I thought I’ve made a million in practice, so just make one more to win it. I didn’t hit it as well as expected, but it looks like the greatest one in the world.”
After Lomeli saved Columbus North’s fourth penalty kick, Crown Point actually started celebrating.
“The ref said it was over, and I just agreed with him,” Lomeli said with a smile.
But upon further review, Crown Point still needed to make its fourth penalty kick, with Fenn obliging. Zach Sneiderwine, Carmelo Morales and Bay Kurtz also had made PKs for Crown Point, which went 14-of-14 from the spot in the three games.
Crown Point won the region’s third state title in soccer — all from the Duneland Conference — following Lake Central last season and Valparaiso in 2004.
“This is spectacular,” Fenn said.
“We didn’t do it the easy way, that’s for sure,” Rosenbaum said.
Crown Point recorded five shutouts in seven postseason victories, allowing a total of two goals.
“Our defense has really come around here in the postseason,” Rosenbaum said. “They take pride in keeping a clean sheet. With Christian back there, it gives them a lot of confidence.”
Indeed, Lomeli was a difference-maker, continuing to wow since making his season debut in regionals and playing the team’s final five games.
With 28 minutes left in the first half, Columbus North’s Brad Shaw sped through the Crown Point defense and came clear, only to be denied by Lomeli. With less than 26 minutes left in the half, Lomeli stuffed Nathan Kaplan from close range. With 14 minutes left in the second half, Lomeli made another save — he finished with seven — in a one-on-one situation against Kaplan.
“It’s just what a keeper does,” said Lomeli, who attended Crown Point as a freshman, went to Lake Forest Academy as a sophomore and junior, and returned to CP as a senior. “The defense does most of it, and I have to clean up the rest. That’s a goalkeeper’s job.”
Said Fenn: “Christian, he’s been a big help. … He’s the best goalie I’ve seen besides pros.”
Columbus North got the better of play in the first half, with Crown Point getting the slight edge in the second.
And, per usual, Crown Point found a way to pull out a victory, this time with the state’s ultimate prize on the line.
“They carried play for long stretches, but we were able to keep them out,” Rosenbaum said.
“The boys came out a little nervous. It took us a while to get used to the field. But we did it.”
Class 2A
Championship
Crown Point 0, Columbus North 0 (Crown Point wins 4-2 in penalty kicks)
Saves — (CP) Christian Lomeli 7; (CN) Cameron Robertson 5
Records: Crown Point 16-6-2, Columbus North 18-3-2
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