Tyrone and Bellefonte were in uncharted territory on Tuesday, both playing for their first district title in school history.

The Eagles earned the right to play for the championship by upsetting Hollidaysburg 2-1 on Thursday, while Bellefonte, the number one seed, had a first-round bye.

Tyrone played hard and held the lead for 15 minutes in the first half, but ultimately fell short, losing on a deflected ball in a close 2-1 game.

Head coach Nick Miller and assistant coach Alex Bartlett both believed that they played a better game than Bellefonte but it didn’t show on the scoreboard.

The game started with no goals for the first 25 minutes but at the 10:53  mark, Tyrone junior midfielder Corey Johnston was tripped just outside the 18 and was awarded a free kick. Johnston took advantage of the opportunity and struck the ball high into the right side of the goal to put Tyrone in the lead 1-0.

That score held until one minute remained in the first half when Bellefonte’s Persiko worked his way through the Tyrone defense unassisted to tie the score at 1-1.

“We played an overall better game, we just lost by a bad goal,” said junior defender Nathan Walk.

Bellefonte looked a little bit shocked in the first half,  considering that they led Tyrone 2-0 in the first half the last time they played Tyrone.

In the second half, Tyrone had several shots on goal but Bellefonte’s defense stayed strong.

Junior goalie Alex Roberts had multiple saves in the second half, which kept Tyrone in the game. Unfortunately for Roberts, at the 14:21 mark, Bellefonte scored on a lucky goal. Bellefonte’s Evan Nyquist took a shot that deflected off of Tyrone defenseman Nathan Walk’s leg sending the ball into the air landing in the back of the net above Robert’s head.

In the second half, Tyrone nearly tied the game on a header by senior forward Andrew Pearson, but unfortunately, the ball struck junior Nick Vasbinder’s face, deflecting it away from the goal.

As final seconds wound down, Tyrone continued to fight but couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.

“I think we could’ve played a better, but we played well none the less,” said Senior Caden Brooks.

Tyrone was disappointed and sad for the seniors, who played their last game as Golden Eagles. Tyrone is hoping to go to Districts next year with a better outcome.

“Even though we lost, I was happy to be a part of this team and call you all my brothers,” said sophomore midfielder Mason Thomas after the game.

SCORE BY HALVES

Tyrone 1 0 – 1

Bellefonte 1 1 – 2

FIRST HALF: T–Johnston (free kick), 10:53; B–Persiko (unassisted), 1:04.

SECOND HALF: B–Nyquist (Koller), 14:21.

RECORDS: Tyrone (8-11); Bellefonte (10-2-1).