Columbus East was feeling the effects Thursday night of playing its second game in as many nights.
Coming off a 1-1 tie at East Central on Wednesday, the Class 3A No. 20 Olympians had a similar result in Thursday’s Hoosier Hills Conference battle with Seymour. Neither team could find the net in a 0-0 tie.
"The team we played (Wednesday) night was physical and had a lot of speed," East coach Josh Gonsior said. "We did our best to rotate the squad, but we had tired legs and were tired mentally. Our decision making was slow, and we were slow on the ball. It became an individual game rather than a team game, and I think that’s what held us back tonight."
The Olympians (2-1-4, 1-0-1) outshot the Owls 13-6, putting five shots on goal to two for Seymour.
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East’s best chances came in the 15th minute, when Owls goalkeeper William Smith made a diving save on a shot by Chris Quisenberry; the 44th minute, when Branson Young put a shot just over the crossbar; and the 65th minute, when Brody Copas was just high with a free kick.
Pete Coriden recorded two saves for the Olympians.
"Defensively, I’m proud of the team," Gonsior said. "Cam Trueblood started for the first time today in the center of the defense, along with Korbin Hatcher, who was solid as usual. You can’t ask any more from a defense than to get a shutout. We just didn’t get the goals we wanted."
The tie allowed East to maintain a slim 12-11-4 lead in the "O Cup." However, with the tie, Seymour was able to take the cup because of its 3-0 win in Wednesday’s JV game.
The two varsity teams could face each other again in the sectional, which has been moved from the not-yet-completed BCSC Soccer Complex to Seymour.
"I think we’ll come better prepared," Gonsior said. "We’ll come with a better game plan. I think we have what it takes to beat that team if we see them again."
