After a terrific first half of the season, the Fountain Hills High School girls soccer team ended the year with a narrow defeat.

The Lady Falcons faced Northwest Christian on the pitch Dec. 18 and lost 2-0.

The team’s next match will be Tuesday, Jan 8, on the road against Rancho Solano Prep.

Looking back on the Northwest Christian match, head coach Matt Wiehl described both teams as “having desires to make a run deep into the state playoffs.”

Wiehl called the match a “battle,” with the Lady Falcons and Northwest Christian neck and neck most of the game.

“NCS had Fountain Hills on their heels early,” Wiehl said. “But the Falcon defense held strong while the rest of the Falcons settled in and played to a scoreless first half.”

Northwest Christian scored their first goal of the game at the 48th minute off of a free kick.

“The Falcons’ offense battled throughout the second half and narrowly missed on a few opportunities while seeking to even the score,” Wiehl said. “NCS sealed the win with a goal in the 72nd minute of the match.”

The Fountain Hills Girls soccer program is currently 4-1 overall and 1-0 in region play.