Emma Christie
In multiple games this season, Ilya Schwartzman has brought starting goalkeeper Emma Christie into the field during the second half of games in an attempt to gain a little offense.
So when the Columbus East coach did that in the 63rd minute of Wednesday night while trailing Jennings County 1-0, Christie knew exactly what to do. The Olympian junior scored off an assist from Sophie Glick in the 76th minute to allow East to forge a 1-1 Hoosier Hills Conference girls soccer tie.
“The kids were fighting and fighting and just kept fighting until the very end,” Schwartzman said. “I thought it was great to get the goal. I’m just proud of the whole group.”
Christie had come up with seven saves in the first 63 minutes, allowing one goal. Cara Veach made one save over the final 17 minutes for East (1-8-1, 1-1-1).
“Emma had a great game both in the goal and then in the field and finished it off very nice,” Schwartzman said. “That’s kind of what we determined her role will be if we get her out of the goal. She will try to push the offense. Cara has stepped up and given us the opportunity to be able to do that. She has done a fine job in the goal herself. Emma gives us a little bit of a punch up there, especially in desperate times when we try to come up with a goal toward the end.”
The Panthers (3-6-2, 2-1-2) had taken a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute. Maddie McIntosh gathered the ball near midfield, dribbled around a couple defenders and put one over Christie’s head just under the crossbar.
“I think we came out focused, ready to go,” Jennings coach Olivia Owens said. “I think we definitely played hard all 80 minutes. We weren’t able to put away some opportunities in the first half that were right in front of us, which ultimately ended up hurting. Then, I think I probably moved too many pieces around. I should have let us settle in, and that part is on me.”
Jennings outshot the Olympians 18-6, putting nine shots on goal to four for East. Alayna Phillips recorded three saves for the Panthers.
“We were really looking forward to trying to get that ‘W’ tonight, so we’re taking this one pretty hard,” Owens said.
