Falling one win short of a state bid is how the 2022 soccer season came to a close for the Columbus boys when they were shutout by No. 5 Burlington Notre Dame 5-0 on Wednesday in a class 1A substate final. 

The Nike offense that averages six goals a game kept the pressure on the Wildcats early with four first half goals and they never looked back in the victory. Cole Ward scored twice for the Nikes and the Wildcats finished with three shots on goal, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Columbus finishes the spring 12-6, their most wins since 2016. They bid farewell to nine seniors including Yahir Ayala, Javier Panchillo, Carlos Solis, Jose Valencia, Gabe Alcala, Gary Molina, Andy Gonzales, Marco Martinez, and Bryan Miranda.