Bulldogs fall in district soccer tourney

NICEVILLE – A second half comeback by the Crestview boys soccer team came up short Tuesday as the Bulldogs lost to Pace 3-2 in the District 1-4A quarterfinals.

It didn’t take long for the Patriots (14-5) to take the lead they would never relinquish as two minutes into the match Jacob Breland scored to put Pace in front 1-0.

The Patriots moved in front 2-0 in the 25th minute on a goal by Tanner Hickman with Breland picking up the assist. Breland continued his strong first half scoring off a throw in from out of bounds two minutes later.

Just when it looked as if the Patriots would run away and hide the Bulldog defense came alive holding Pace scoreless for the final 57 minutes of the match.

Crestview (8-9-1) closed the gap on the Patriots in the second half.

A Tyler Tarpley goal five minutes into the second half closed the Pace lead to 3-1. David Born scored for the Bulldogs 20 minutes later, but that would be the last score of the season for Crestview as the clock wound down on the game and the season.

Bulldog coach Scottie Milton attributed his team’s youth to the slow start.

“I think our lack of experience showed in the first half,” he said. “At halftime I just told them to compete. I don’t think we were ready to compete in the first half and that’s why we were down 3-0.”