Columbia’s and Waterloo’s soccer teams will continue their season with sectionals next week. In fact, each team will be competing in the Columbia Sectional starting on Tuesday. It will be either team or no team advancing to the state tournament.

The Eagles beat Marion, 3-1, on Friday night in front of a home crowd. Sean Rickey helped with a goal and two assists.

Brett Meyer got Columbia on the board first. He took a Sean Ricky throw-in — a regular over the head throw-in instead of his signature flip thrown-in — and nailed the shot outside the box. The goal came five minutes into the game.

Rickey, with 26 minutes left in the half, launched his own goal from the top of the box to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead. Tyler Begis assisted.

That was the score at halftime. Columbia added another in the second half. Dalton Verret nailed a shot on an assist from Rickey.

Marion did get on the board late in the game, with 2 minutes and 30 seconds left to play.

But the Eagles proved to be victorious and got the win.

Earlier in the day, Waterloo defeated Carbondale, 3-0, in Carbondale, to win their regional championship.

Kane Osterhage, Ethan Lewis and Ben Huels all scored a goal (in that order).

Now Columbia’s and Waterloo’s path to the state tournament will potentially go through each other. Both team’s play in the semifinals of sectionals at CHS on Tuesday. If each team wins, they would square off in the finals.

It has been a good soccer season in Monroe County.

“Monroe County, with Gibault having the success they’ve had — Unfortunately, they lost to Anna-Jonesboro, but they’ve had some success this year and have had great success in their tradition,” Columbia coach Jason Mathenia said. “Waterloo has had some great years, and they’re having a great year this year. What that says about Monroe County is, we’re turning a lot of heads and doing well down here.”

Gibault won their regional last Friday, but lost in sectional play to Anna-Jonesboro, 1-0, on Tuesday. Either way, three teams from Monroe County were regional champions this season.

Now, only one, can potentially be a sectional championship and move onto the state tournament. Follow the Republic-Times on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on Columbia and Waterloo soccer in sectional play next week.