October 29, 2011
Unranked Crown Point Wins State Championship in Penalty Kick Shootout
Crown Point fought through regulation, two overtime periods, and a penalty kick shootout to win its first state title in boys soccer defeating No. 16 Columbus North 1-0 (4-2 PK) Saturday night at Kuntz Stadium in Indianapolis.
Crown Point goalkeeper Christian Lomeli, who had led the unranked Bulldogs to two victories on penalty kicks in last Saturday's semi-state, again came up big in the biggest match of all. With his team up 3-2 in the shootout and already having knocked away the first shot, Lomeli dove to his left and batted away Columbus North's fourth attempt. Teammate Alex Fenn drilled the next shot to seal Crown Point's victory. Lomeli finished the match with seven saves. Zach Sneiderwine, Carmelo Morales and Bay Kurtz each connected on their penalty kicks for the Bulldogs who scored on 14 consecutive penalty kick goals over the final three matches.
Crown Point concluded its championship season with a 16-6-2 record under head coach J.R. Rosenbaum. The Bulldogs had also won the regional for the first time this season. Columbus North, competing in the state finals for the second time in three years, finished 18-3-2 record under head coach Andy Glover.
Nathan Kaplan of Columbus North named Mental Attitude Winner
Nathan Kaplan of Columbus North High School was named winner of the 2011 C. Eugene Cato Mental Attitude Award for Boys Class 2A Soccer by members of the IHSAA Executive Committee.
The senior captain helped lead the Bull Dogs to their second state finals appearance in three years. The senior midfielder tallied 12 goals and six assists during the 2011 season.
Kaplan owns a 4.08 grade point average and was named to the Academic All-State team. He has made the honor roll at Columbus North each semester since his freshman year.
Nathan is the son Stu and Masako Kaplan of Columbus. He is undecided on his college choice for next fall but intends to pursue a degree in business.
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance, the IHSAA’s corporate partner, presented a scholarship check for $1,000 to Columbus North High School in the name of Nathan Kaplan. Since 1989, more than $745,000 in college scholarships have been presented by Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance to deserving high school students in Indiana.