Columbia boys fall to Wickliffe on the pitch

Visiting Columbia yielded a goal to Wickliffe in the first eight minutes, and the Raiders fell to their Lake County opposition, 1-0. Columbia yielded 17 shots on target and 11 corner kicks.

Columbia hung tough in the defensive third, hoping to spring a sharp counter as it remained within striking distance, but ultimately fell, 1-0, at Wickliffe in a nonconference match Sept. 30.

The Raiders (4-6-2) yielded 17 shots on target and 11 corners — not an ideal scenario to be sure, but Coach Corey Taylor admired the workrate in the back from his side.

“Our defense, that was probably one of the better defensive performances that our back four has put on, even our defensive mid, and our goalie Charlie (Simon) played an outstanding game for us,” Taylor said.

“We were looking for a counter. In the second half, we shut them out. They scored eight minutes into the game and that was it, so I can’t really ask much more. Granted, I don’t want to give up 17 shots. But at the same time, they did a great job.” WICKLIFFE 1, COLUMBIA 0

The Blue Devils (9-21), who extended their unbeaten run to nine matches, got the decisive goal in the eighth minute as Taylor alluded. On a nice piece of combination play, Nick Telisman played a ball for Nick Colbert, and the junior striker delivered a left-footed finish high and side net for a 1-0 lead.

Columbia had occasional chances to spring striker Nate Barta with direct service from midfield, but Wickliffe kept a strong defensive shape out of a 3-5-2 formation to record its sixth clean sheet of the fall.

“The defense has a lot to be proud of,” Taylor said. “We’ve got to figure out our midfield, and we have to figure out ways to get more shots on goal. But they’re learning, and we’re playing a little bit better as we get into tournament time. So that’s kind of what we’re working toward right now.”