In Columbia’s first real challenge since a 0-0 draw at Granite City to start its soccer season, the Eagles topped rival Gibault at home on Tuesday night, 1-0.

The game started as an offensive struggle for each team. Gibault began the game with a few scoring chances, but the ball stayed with the Columbia offense for much of the first half. The teams were in gridlock after a 0-0 first half.

The only goal of the game came from Connor Jackson on a pass from Sean Rickey. The ball squeezed just between Gibault goaltender Trevor Davis’ outstretched hand and the lower right post. It came with just more than 23 minutes remaining.

The assist came off Rickey’s foot rather than his unique throw-ins. Every time the ball went out of bounds in the Hawks’ defensive territory, it created a scoring chance for the Eagles. Rickey, who is able to do a flip throw-in where he performs a front flip that propels the ball an extra 20 yards, created chance after chance for a Columbia, or even Gibault, player to knock the ball into the Hawks’ goal.

So, of course, Rickey’s foot got the assist to Jackson.

Columbia (7-0-1) hosts Valmeyer at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Gibault (5-7) hosts Alton at Oerter Park at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

In other soccer action, Waterloo improved to 10-1 on the season with a 4-0 win at home against Highland.

Kane Osterhange added to his team-leading goal total with two more in Tuesday’s win. Philip Most and Clay Metz also each scored goals. Tyler Grob had two assists and Griffin Lenhardt added an assist.

The Bulldogs host Triad at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday.