With the spirits of East soccer high as the girls’ soccer team triumphed over the then 17-1-0 New Castle in Wednesday night’s regional game, the East boys’ soccer team is looking to capitalize on both teams’ momentum as the boys’ team takes on East Central on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. in the first round of its regional at Richard Wigh Soccer Complex in Columbus.

Columbus East (13-4-0) has met 15-2-1 East Central on the pitch earlier in the year that resulted in a 2-0 loss for the Olympians.

“We know what we need to do to beat them. We didn’t play our best game that day, but I think now we’re all definitely on our A-game,” said senior forward Ramiro Nieto.

The game the Olympians played against East Central was the second of the day in a tournament, and the Olympians had just fallen 5-0 to Mt. Vernon. The intensity and momentum going into tonight’s matchup is very different than the dynamic of the previous match. For the first time in a decade Columbus East has beaten Columbus North, and energy levels are soaring.

“[Being in Regionals] is a new feeling. We feel like we can win this game and advance further into state, and I know everyone’s ready to give it their best game because we have so much passion,” said Nieto.

The team is excited to move up the ladder in the state tournament, although the matchup tonight is what they are focusing on.

“We’re playing at a high level, and I think they have the ability to move on far in the state tournament, but we’re focusing on the game in front of us, which right now is East Central,” said East boys’ soccer coach Brad Barber.