Columbus East girls soccer celebrated senior night before its regular season finale against Seymour at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex.
However, the Olympians had something else to celebrate after the game. East clinched the outright Hoosier Hills Conference title with a 4-2 win.
"It’s definitely a great win. It’s a good way to send our seniors out with their last game here," East coach Ilya Schwartzman said. "All the players had a great game. I thought they all worked very well together and worked really hard for this victory. Every year is different, and every year is a different team. The conference championship tastes just as sweet as any other year. It’s a great win. I’m proud of the tradition and proud of what they accomplished."
Olympian seniors Lindsey Stoughton, Elena Stoughton, Maya Federle, Emily Stiles, Karisma Parker and Jaeda Berkemeier played their final regular season game in front of their hometown fans.
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“Right now, I’m just really proud of us. We played really well. We never gave up, and kept playing hard," said Lindsey Stoughton, who scored two goals. "Last home game and for the conference championship, it just makes me feel really good to be a part of this team."
East (9-4-2, 6-0-1) got on the board in the 11th minute when Berkemeier found Lindsey Stoughton, whose shot went right through the goalkeeper hands and the ball slowly rolled to the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Owls found the equalizer in the 36th minute when Lillie Wessel’s shot went right to the hands of Olympian goalkeeper Parker, but then she mishandled the ball and Bailey Lykins was there for the tap-in to make it 1-1 at the half.
East wasted no time regaining the lead. In the first minute of the second half, Berkemeier scored off an assist from Stiles. Later, in the 55th minute, Berkemeier had the ball down the left side and her pass across the box found Lindsey Stoughton for her second goal of the game for a 3-1 lead.
A minute later, the Owls cut into the lead once again when Nicole Rebber kicked a floating pass to the goal over Parker’s outstretched arms to make it 3-2.
Alana Dwenger added the insurance goal needed in the 71st minute for the Olympians to seal the win and the HHC title.
"These seniors are special," Schwartzman said. "Many of them have started since they were freshmen. They bring tremendous leadership, great personalities, great people and fun to coach. We are just so proud to have been associated with this group of seniors."
