CONNELL - The Warden Cougars fell behind 2-0 after just 12 minutes of their first-ever SCAC playoff game Thursday, but weren't about to give up in their game with the Connell Eagles.

The Cougars came out of the halftime locker room and got back in the game quickly, cutting Connell's lead to 2-1 with an unassisted goal from Susano Rivera just five minutes into the second half.

Trailing for most of the game, Warden went on the attack in hopes of getting even with the Eagles. The Cougars outshot Connell 12-10 for the game, with their efforts paying off when Scott Phillips tied the game in the 72nd minute on another unassisted goal.

Neither team scored again in regulation, but the Eagles were able to get the game winner in the first overtime to escape with a 3-2 victory and eliminate Warden from the district tournament. The tough loss to a talented opponent Thursday was a story line that seemed to bear its head over and over again during Warden's season.

The Cougars, in their first season of boys' soccer, surprised many this year by playing highly competitive soccer in the always tough SCAC. Despite their 4-11 record, Warden was rarely on the bad end of a lopsided game.

"During the course of the season, there were only three games we weren't competitive in," said Warden coach Donnie Edson.

Edson noted that Warden lost three games this season in a shoot-out, and had three or four other losses by just one goal.

"The teamwork is what became more evident as the season progressed," said Edson. "Overall, I'm very, very happy with the way everything turned out."