Tiger soccer falls in second half

The second half proved disastrous for the Demopolis High soccer team Thursday night as they blew a 1-0 intermission lead to fall to Gardendale 2-1.

“We went on the defensive the whole second half,” Tiger coach Keith Jackson told his team following the match. “They were the aggressor the second half. We didn’t use the midfield. We didn’t use the outside any. You got into playing their brand of soccer. You started trying to boom the ball instead of passing it.”

Gradendale dominated possession in the second half as it switched to a much more physical style of play than the host Tigers. The approach proved productive as the visitors tied the game on a penalty kick early in the half before taking the lead on a breakaway midway through the period.

“To be honest, I think we ran out of gas,” Jackson said. “We came out a little too intense that first half and I think they caught us a little off guard when they came out aggressive in the second half.”

The Tigers got their lone goal off the foot of Austin Brooks in the first half, an effort that was assisted by Oscar Vaidivia.

Demopolis fell to 3-5-1 with the loss. The Tigers are scheduled to travel to Tuscaloosa Friday for an area match against area foe Central High.