Olentangy’s 2-1 win over Delaware was all about taking advantage of opportunities.
Junior Matt Celona was the epitome of that statement, scoring both goals to lead Olentangy’s victory over Delaware Hayes in boys soccer non-league action Thursday night in Lewis Center.
“Matt’s goals were just effort,” Olentangy coach Pat Shick said. “He just kept working, working, working and finally broke through. He got a couple of opportunities and he put them in.”
Celona got by the defense and beat the goalie on the left side to give Olentangy (1-0-1) the lead with 31:24 left in the game.
Celona took advantage of some miscommunication by the Delaware defense on a loose ball at the top of the box. After a deflection, Celona found himself alone for a break-away goal to give his team a 1-0 lead with 26:40 left in the first half.
“They were both calling for each other to take it and I just took advantage of that and ran right through,” Celona said.
“Lack of communication led to a mistake (on that play),” Delaware coach Josh Diehl said. “Honestly, both of their goals we felt like were kind of on us. A good team is going to capitalize and punish us for those.”
Delaware (1-1-1) came back a little more than 10 minutes later. A trip just outside the box set up the tying goal – a Brody Kannally free kick with 16:20 left in the half.
“I like how we ended,” Diehl said. “I was really proud of our response to come back and battle and fight. Just little things cost us tonight.”
Noah Meehan had 7 saves in goal for the Pacers and Will Yorke made 1 save for Olentangy.
Both teams are back at it Tuesday at 7:15 p.m. Olentangy visits Dublin Coffman in non-league play and Delaware opens OCC-Cardinal play at home against Hilliard Darby.
William V. Fisher 4, Delaware Christian 2
Isaac Rindfuss scored a pair of goals, but William V. Fisher outshot the Eagles 20-6 en route to a non-league win Thursday in Delaware.
Dirk Harris made 15 saves in the DCS net.
Also: Liberty 3, Hilliard Davidson 0.
GIRLS SOCCER
Junior Julia Francis and sophomore Natalie Hegg each scored first half goals to lead Olentangy past Thomas Worthington 3-0 in non-league action Thursday in Lewis Center.
“It’s all part of the building,” Olentangy coach Earl Devanny said. “Each time we want to get a little bit better (with) the conference games coming up. The goal is just to improve.”
Hegg centered a pass to Francis, who dribbled left, then beat the goalie right to give Olentangy (2-0) the lead with 32:40 left in the first half.
Hegg found herself on the receiving end of a perfectly placed through pass by Olivia Neidhart that allowed Hegg to get off a quick shot, beating the goalie on the right side to give Olentangy a 2-0 lead with 5:37 remaining in the first half.
Sydney Walker scored with 3:17 remaining to cap the scoring.
McKinley Hoffman had 2 saves for Olentangy and Brooke Ackley stopped 11 shots for Thomas (0-2).
Hayes 1, Westerville Central 1
Maddy Wilson scored the Pacers’ lone goal and keeper Abby Weller had 10 saves as Hayes and Westerville Central battled to a 1-1 draw Thursday night.
GIRLS TENNIS
Hayes’ Sarah Midura and Serena Ishwar teamed up to knock off Thomas Worthington’s Emily Futman-Munon and Xiaoya Zhang 6-4, 6-0 at second doubles, but the Cardinals won on the other four courts to notch a 4-1 league win Thursday afternoon in Worthington.
Also: Liberty 4, Orange 1; Big Walnut 4, Canal Winchester 1.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Orange 3, Hilliard Davidson 0; Hayes 3, Dublin Scioto 0; Big Walnut 3, Westerville Central 2.
