The Dux girls soccer team got off to a sluggish start Monday night against Byron Center, falling behind 0-2 in the first half. The Bulldogs converted on a penalty kick in the 18th minute to take a 1-0 lead. The Bulldogs made it 2-0 off a misplayed ball in the midfield resulted in a Dux turnover which lead to a breakaway on Dux goal keeper Ryleigh Farrell. 

"We struggled to maintain possession in the first half, and did not win any 50/50 balls. Because of our inability to possess, we did a lot of chasing and reacting in the first half, which led to their scoring chances."
 

Down 0-2 at half, the Dux came out stronger in the second half and were able to compete more evenly through the midfield. "Our possession and intentionality was much better in the second half. Our combinations through the middle were better, and we did a better job of moving the ball from side to side, which resulted in more scoring opportunities." Despite the improvement, the Dux found themselves down 0-3 with 30 minutes to go in the game after a Bulldog throw-in near midfield glanced off the back of the head of a Bulldog striker at the top of the Dux penalty box, and caromed up and over the head of Farrell and into the back of the net.

The Dux offense finally started rolling with about 20 minutes to go. Two Kylee Winn corner kicks nearly found the back of the net off of Josie Bos' head, but both times Bos' headers missed the mark - one just over the bar and the second just wide. Makenna Anderson found herself on a breakaway but their keeper made a fantastic diving save to protect their lead. Sam Hecht's breakaway a couple of minutes later also resulted in a spectacular diving save, but the Dux simply could not find the back of the net. The Dux scored their lone goal after Sam Hecht was leveled in the Bulldog penalty area. Hecht smashed the ensuing PK beyond the reach of the Bulldog keeper and into the back of the net.

"We played too tentative and reactive in the first half. The second half, we played more our style of soccer, and were able to find more success. We did a better job in the midfield of challenging for the ball, which made it more difficult for them to get their offense going. They are a fast and physical team, but we did a better job of limiting their chances in the second half. Once we put together a complete 80 minutes playing proactive soccer, we will be fine."

The loss drops the Dux to 2-4-2 on the season, and 1-4 in the OK Green.