NATCHEZ — The Cathedral High School girls soccer team brought pressure on the Washington School backfield, but was unable to overcome a one-goal deficit, losing at home 2-1.

Gracie Bertlesen scored Cathedral’s lone goal, a penalty kick following a card for a handball in the box to tie the game at 1-1 in the first half.

“We got lucky and had a handball, but I was grateful I had a chance to finish it and tie it up for a little while,” Bertlesen said.

Washington retook the lead in the eighth minute of the second half. Cathedral worked its way downfield several times late in the game, but was unable to convert on a scoring opportunity or corner kick.

Bertlesen, who delivers corner kicks for Cathedral, said the blazing heat affected the Lady Green Wave’s ability to finish Thursday afternoon.

“It was fatigue, and we got tired,” Bryant said. “We couldn’t always step into the ball when we needed to, but we’ll get there.”

It’s early in the season for Cathedral, and head coach Dennis Hogue said the tight matchup is nothing to panic about. He said it’s important for Cathedral to focus on its conditioning to be in shape before district games begin.

“We’re slow to warm up to the physicality of the game,” Hogue said.“

Hogue said the team boasts a lot of speed, but can’t wait too long to intensify its physicality. Hogue said it will be up to his big group of upperclassmen to dial up the physicality on 50-50 balls and corner kicks to convert on more scoring opportunities.

“I have nine seniors who have been doing it for a while; they understand the game and know it’s physical,” Hogue said. “It takes a couple of games … it always comes around, and they start clicking.”

Cathedral lost to Washington 1-0 approximately one week ago on a goal Hogue described as a “squeaker” that rolled just past the goalkeeper.

“It was heartbreaking. I hate losing a game like that,” Hogue said. “I would rather them just smoke it … We tried to redeem ourselves (Thursday), but we weren’t as physical.”

Cathedral continues its campaign Thursday, and the Lady Green Wave will have another shot at Washington in Greenvile.