Pioneers, Braves battle to scoreless draw

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By Michael Rich

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Further proof that the Olentangy and Olentangy Orange boys soccer teams know each other about as well as two teams can is the 0-0 result in OCC-Capital Division action on Tuesday night at Pioneer Field in Lewis Center.

“In my eyes, and all my guys just said the exact same thing, (tying) hurts worse than losing,” Olentangy coach Pat Shick said. “A lot of these kids on Orange play with a lot of my kids, so they like competing with each other, they like fighting each other, so it was a good game all things considered.”

The score was fitting because Pioneers coach Scott Bryant said that both teams are at about the same point.

“To be honest, looking at the results they’ve had and the results we’ve had, I think they’re in the same boat — looking for somebody to step up and looking for somebody to take ownership,” he said.

Olentangy’s Nick Antronica had a free kick that trickled through and looked destined for the net early in the first half, but Orange’s Brian Juttner came off the left side and cleared it away at the goal line to keep it scoreless.

Orange (0-1-3, 0-0-2) got a chance on a header by Oscar Carvajai that hit the crossbar and bounced over about 10 minutes into the second half.

“We had a decent amount of chances, we just got to put them away and I think that’s been the story of our season so far,” Bryant said.

Collin Hoffmann had seven saves for Olentangy and Nick Cutler had five for the Pioneers.

Olentangy has only two wins against Orange, the most recent coming in the 2013 district tournament when the Braves secured a 1-0 second-round victory. The other win was in 2009, Orange’s first year.

Olentangy (1-4-1, 1-0-1) was looking for its second straight OCC-Capital win after beating Big Walnut last Thursday. It hasn’t had success outside the league, losing to state top-10 opponents, including second-ranked Dublin Jerome and ninth-ranked Liberty.

“We’re developing,” Shick said. “We’re not where we should be, we’re not where we want to be.”

Orange also has a loss to Jerome on its resume, but a 2-2 tie against St. Francis DeSales in the season opener has highlighted the season so far.

“We just haven’t had a guy step up and make a play, and I think the guys are getting frustrated,” Bryant said. “We just need to come together.”

Olentangy is back in action on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Hilliard Darby and Orange hosts St. Charles on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Also: Delaware Christian 10, Northside Christian 0; Liberty 3, Upper Arlington 2.

GIRLS SOCCER

Olentangy 1, Orange 1; Liberty 3, Upper Arlington 0.

Follow Michael Rich on Twitter @mrichdelgazette.

Orange’s Jack Brooks (10) and Olentangy’s Nick Miller (3) battle for possession during Tuesday’s league game in Lewis Center.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/09/web1_ooolen.jpgOrange’s Jack Brooks (10) and Olentangy’s Nick Miller (3) battle for possession during Tuesday’s league game in Lewis Center.

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