It was the ending not hoped for as Shelbyville Central’s Golden Eagles dropped a 2-1 decision to visiting Cleveland in region semifinal action on Tuesday night.
With the loss it closes out the season for the Golden Eagles (12-7-1).
“Cleveland was a hungry team and they showed a ton of heart. They had a very simple game plan and they executed it,” Shelbyville Central coach Chris Fritz said.
“We held the ball and stayed in their half the majority of the game, but the field conditions didn’t suit our style of play.”
Cleveland scored an early goal off of an awkward deflection to go up 1-0.
The Eagles evened the score in the second half with a goal by Emmanuel Leyva.
That tie was short lived as Cleveland responded with a gold off a corner kick.
“Both teams had to deal with these bad bounces, but Cleveland’s physicality and chaotic style of play was just better given the ponding, rain, and  wind,” Fritz said.
“Going forward, we are going to have to do a better job maintaining our field and considering the field conditions before playing this caliber of game. I have to do a better job putting these boys in a position to win even if it means changing the location of our games.”
“Thanks again to our seniors for putting in a tremendous amount of time and work to get us to this game for the second year in a row,” Fritz said.