NATCHEZ &8212; The Natchez Bulldgs held on to a one goal lead for most of the second half, but fell to the Loyd Star Hornets on penalty kicks Tuesday night at home.

The Natchez defense saw lots of action early in the first half of play, as the Hornets kept the ball on the Bulldogs end of the field and eventually scored to lead 1-0.

After several strong defensive stands by Natchez, the Bulldogs were able to move the ball down the field late in the first half and tie the game at one goal a piece as Ross Smith scored off an assist by Kent Calvit.

The Bulldogs took the lead early in the second half as Jered Anderson booted in a goal from the outside of the goalie box to give Natchez a 2-1 lead.

With less than five minutes to play in the game, the Hornets answered back by tying the game at 2 and forcing a shoot out.

The Bulldogs capitalzed on their first two opportunities of the shoot out and looked to be on their way to a win, but the Hornets then blocked three straight kicks. The Hornets scored on their first, third and fourth kicks to win the game.

&8220;It was a great game and our guys played well,&8221; said Natchez head coach Dennis Hogue. &8220;We stepped up in the second half and had some momentum going, but could not hang on.&8221;

Hogue said he did not think the early morning rain had an effect on the game.

&8220;The field conditions weren&8217;t really a factor. They (Loyd Star) had to play with the same ball we did.&8221;

With the loss, the Bulldogs fell to 2-2 overall on the season. Natchez will face crosstown rival Cathedral on the road Friday at 7 p.m.