What the Aberdeen Central and Sioux Falls Washington boys’ soccer game lacked in scoring, it more than made up for in intensity Tuesday night at Brownell Activities Complex.

The two squads battled through 80 minutes of high-quality play in a 0-0 tie in non-conference action that felt like a postseason contest.

“That’s an even playoff game is what that is,” said Central coach Lance Mohr, “and the chances of seeing them later are pretty good.”

The Warriors created more scoring opportunities with their speed and quickness. Mohr knew what Washington brought to the pitch heading into the game.

“They are quick, they’re very athletic and we knew that coming in. What I wanted to see today was how we look when we played a comparable team in Lincoln earlier in the year,” Mohr said. “How do we look today with our ability to connect. And in bits and pieces in moments of the game we were better. They’re very athletic. They created a lot of problems, because you have to move it so fast, just to create the opportunity.”

As a result, the Golden Eagles did not manage one shot on goal during the contest. They did have a few chances, but were unable to complete the final piece of the puzzle.

“We spent a lot of time, trying to get the ball,” Mohr said, “and then once we got it down, then those one, two or three passes that we need to create that moment at the end, just wasn’t quite there for us.”

What was there for the Golden Eagles was another stellar defensive effort that kept the Warriors off the scoreboard, able to find ways to combat Washington’s elite speed.

“It’s a bit scary and you have to prepare, so you’ve got to stand more in the back and prepare for the long balls, because they are physically strong and very quick,” said Central defender Emil Engst. “But I think we defended today very well and did a good job, everyone, the whole back line. I think it was our best defended game the whole year.”

The junior said that communication was a key element in the defensive performance, making sure every attacker was marked.

“That’s something which we worked on very much the last weeks,” Engst said, “because communication was a little bit off, but I think today we managed to communicate enough and everybody got his man.”

That defense has been a key reason why the Golden Eagles have been able to piece together an 8-1-2 record so far this season.

“All season our defense has been phenomenal,” said Central senior Bryson Burgard, “so just keep that going.”

Burgard said Washington’s speed impacted the entire team, both offensively and defensively.

“I think our back line usually drops more. As soon as they get their head up we have to start dropping, because we now they’re going to play long,” Burgard said. “I guess it’s just more running for the midfield, too.”

And once again, the Golden Eagles were up to the challenge on defense, recording their eighth shutout of the season.

“I was really, really proud. We defended fantastic,” Mohr said. “We gave a couple of unearned chances, but that’s a team that creates a lot of problems for people, because of their pace.”

Central goalkeeper Koltin Swearingen recorded seven saves on the way to the draw.

The Golden Eagles were able to move the ball into the Washington zone as the game went on, but unable to finish off possessions.

“We had a couple of really really good moments, with getting close, towards the back half of that first half it was really solid,” Mohr said. “We had the ball more in the middle third to their attacking third, we just couldn’t get that last piece and that last ball. But we can go back and fix the things that are broke today.”

Central will host Pierre on Thursday at 4 p.m., before hosting unbeaten Watertown on Tuesday as the playoffs inch closer.

The Golden Eagles will use Tuesday’s tie to help prepare them for what lies ahead.

“We learned how to defend well in a serious game,” Engst said, “and I think that’s very important for the playoffs.”

Practices have been more serious as the regular season draws to a close, according to Burgard.

“Trainings have just been a lot more intense lately,” Burgard said. “We’re just pushing, working on moving the ball more, got to find feet, because these Sioux Falls schools a lot of times they just want to play over the top of us and make it a track meet, but we want to connect and play quick.”

Mohr was pleased with his team’s performance and what it showed that the team needs to work on.

“It’s perfect to get ready for the playoffs,” Mohr said. “I told these guys I just want to get us ready for the playoffs, and the only way to see what we need to work on is by playing teams like this that we’re going to see later.”

Sioux Falls Washington 0 0 – 0

Aberdeen Central 0 0 – 0

First Half: no scoring.

Second Half: no scoring.

Shots on Goal: Sioux Falls Washington 6; Aberdeen Central 0

Goalies: Aberdeen Central, Koltin Swearingen (7 saves).