After scoreless first half

After a scoreless first half, Lachino put the Bruins ahead, 1-0, in the 50th minute with a header off a free kick from outside the penalty area by sophomore Demetrio Sanchez.

That lead lasted approximately two minutes, however, as Stevenson -- which outshot Columbia, 25-5, overall -- took advantage of a lot of traffic in front of CHS's goal to sneak one by junior goalkeeper Juan Benavides.

Butler countered for the Bruins in the 57th minute, though, with the goal that proved to be the difference: a diving header off a Lachino cross from the corner.

"That was a really pretty goal," Knowles said. "Their keeper had his hands out and was ready to take the shot out of the air. But he never got the chance because Whitney launched himself and knocked it in before he knew what happened."

Knowles attributed Columbia's success at the offensive end to a more patient and disciplined approach ball movement between the midfield and the forward line.

"In the second half we started to put together some nice short-passing combinations, which we can do because we have really talented kids," Knowles noted. "We're working on trying to convince them that that's the way to be successful."

In the first half, the Bruins tried to force the action by sending long balls forward in hopes of catching the Bulldogs off guard.

But that strategy didn't work because the Bruins were playing into a strong headwind. As a consequence, they failed to record a shot on goal before halftime.

Stevenson registered several, pressuring and attacking. But even with the wind to their back, the Bulldogs couldn't find the back of the net.

Knowles said Columbia's defense was more than up to the challenges that came its way. "Except for that one breakdown in the second half, our defense was solid," he said.

In particular, Knowles praised the play of Braulio Garcia.

The sophomore defender prevented a goal in the first half, kicking a shot clear of the goal line after a Stevenson attacker had gotten past Benavides.