The Bulldogs (5-0) grabbed a quick 1-0 lead three minutes into the contest. The Islanders (3-4) tied the score at the 20-minute mark when defender Gemberly Pineda scored from 20 yards out on a rebound.

However, North Platte scored with 30 seconds left in the first half to take a 2-1 lead at the intermission. The Bulldogs tacked on another goal midway through the first half, scoring on a deflection.

Grand Island coach Jeremy Jensen said the Islanders competed well, despite playing without four starters.

"We were pretty young and small out there and this was the biggest, most physical team we've played to date," Jensen said. "It was obviously a big challenge for us.

"I felt like we controlled the passing game for much of the first half, but we ran out of bodies and steam in the second half with a couple of additional injuries. Our effort was good.

Jensen said sweeper Ky Molholm and midfielder Eric Jacobo turned in strong efforts for the Islanders.

North Platte blanks Islander girls, 2-0

NORTH PLATTE North Platte made a couple of early goals stand up en route to a 2-0 win over the Grand Island Senior High girls Thursday.

The Bulldogs scored in the fifth and 14th minutes. After that, Islander goalie Ali Higgins shut down North Platte (4-1), but the Islanders were unable to capitalize.

GISH coach Chuck DeWitt said it was a step in the right direction for the Islanders, now 1-6.

"We learned a few things," he said. "Ali Higgins kept the score down and had some outstanding saves. Really, the defense really stepped it up in the second half."

Central Catholic boys fall to Crete, 2-1

CRETE Crete broke up a defensive battle with a pair of second-half goals and then held on to beat the Grand Island Central Catholic boys 2-1 Thursday at Doane College.

After a scoreless first half, Crete (2-4) scored at 41:35 and 50:21. The Crusaders (2-3) cut their deficit to one goal when Austin Witmer scored at 73:53 on an assist from John Lilley.

"The first half, we were really flat," GICC co-coach Gary Witmer said. "We gave them too many opportunities. I felt lucky to be 0-0 at the half."

Witmer said the Crusaders finished strong.

"We had the momentum the last 20 minutes," said Witmer, whose team allowed only two more shots after falling behind 2-0.