Nadia Harris
Columbus East girls soccer had reason to celebrate Monday night.
The Olympians picked up their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory against Franklin at the BCSC Soccer Complex.
“This was huge. In all of the game, the effort was outstanding, and the attitude they maintained has been positive,” East coach Ilya Schwartzman said. “To get a ‘W’ tonight was huge for us. It’s a reward for all the work hard they have done. I’m real proud with how they continue to perform, and we were finally able to put it together.”
The Olympians (1-4-1) had a great chance break open the scoreboard in the first couple minutes of the match, but Taylor Scott’s touch went wide of the near post. The Olympians made up for it a few minutes later in the 13th minute when a shot from the near post deflected off the post. The rebound came right to Nadia Harris, and her shot from just outside the box went into the net for the go-ahead score.
“We’re getting some passing combinations in place, and finally, we were able to connect. The pressure they were able to put on the ball pays off. We won some balls in the offensive third, and were able to create,” Schwartzman said. “We created pretty well. We should have had a few more goals up on the scoreboard, but that will come. It comes with confidence and comes with continued effort and continue to put combinations and creativity together.”
The only major threat the Grizzly Cubs had in the second half came when a pass was made forward to Sami Frazier, who outran the East defenders for the ball. Her shot was right at goalkeeper Kate Stiles, who made the save.
The Olympians put up 13 shots, with four of them on goal, while Franklin finished with two shots, with both of them on goal. Stiles recorded two saves in the shutout.
“Defensively, we’ve been pretty good. I know we’ve played some tough games and had some lopsided scores, but still, the effort defensively has always been good,” Schwartzman said. “Tonight was really good. We were able to shut them out. I’m pleased with the outcome and how the girls performed.”
The Olympians will square off against Providence for a home matchup at 7 p.m. Thursday that will played at the Wigh Soccer Complex.
