Once again, a few near misses cost the Tigers' kickers a game they could have claimed.
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For several weeks Belleville has come close to beating teams that delivered thumpings during the season's first half, but an unfortunate inability to capitalize has left the Tigers on the losing end of several close matches.
The latest came in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Southgate.
"We had a lot of good offense and it was back and forth the whole time," soccer head coach Brent Held said.
Belleville struck first 18 minutes in with a cross from Emily Marshall to Deysza Lewis.
Southgate responded with 10 minutes remaining in the half when the ball popped out of a scrum inside the 18 yard box to a Southgate player who pushed it in the net.
In the second half, Marshall came in and sent a breakaway just wide of the net, and the Tigers nearly scored on a one timer from a cross, but it was Southgate that made the most of their opportunities and scored off a cross ten minutes into the half.
Held credits midfielder Ashley Butzin with generating and setting up a good deal of the Tigers' offense.
"She had a great game controlling the tempo in the midfield and setting up a lot of the play," Held said. "She has really picked up her game in the last couple games."
Held was also pleased to see Belleville's defense turn in another solid performance.
"We have made some strides with our defense," he said. "We have a young defense, but they're the ones that are keeping us in the game."
Belleville faces Ann Arbor Pioneer in district play, results were not available as of press time.
Tom Perkins is a freelance writer for the View/Courier. He can be reached at trperkins@gmail.com.
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