OTHELLO — The Huskies couldn’t find the winning formula Tuesday afternoon and the Toppenish Wildcats stole home-field advantage away from Othello with a 2-1 victory in the district soccer playoffs.

The Huskies found themselves trailing 1-0 midway through the first half and Othello never recovered as the Wildcats held off the 2009 Central Washington Athletic Conference champions.

Toppenish took the lead in the 20th minute when the Wildcats were able to push a penalty kick past Othello senior goalie Erik Suarez.

After a strong Toppenish attack gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead, the Toppenish defense kept Othello’s potent offense off of the scoreboard for the remainder of the half.

Toppenish was able to limit Othello’s scoring opportunities and Othello head coach Bernie Garza said his team didn’t attack the Toppenish goalie.

“We didn’t make their keeper make saves,” he said.

Othello attempted to pull even with Toppenish early in the second half, but the Wildcats’ smothering defense managed to wear down the Huskies, Garza said.

“We gave up a little bit too early,” he said.

Toppenish took a 2-0 lead in the 65th minute when the Wildcats managed to put a corner kick past Suarez and into the back of the Othello net.

After an Othello red card forced the Huskies to play a man short for the final 15 minutes of the contest, Othello freshman Jorge Campos helped the Huskies pull within a score with seven minutes remaining.

Campos beat the Toppenish defense and sent a lofting shot over the Wildcat goalie and into the back of the net.

Although the Wildcats held a 2-0 advantage prior to Campos’ goal, Garza said no lead is safe against his Huskies.

“A 2-0 lead is not a comfortable lead,” he said. “All you need is two quick scores to get back into it.”

After Compos’ goal helped the Huskies pull within a score of Toppenish, the Wildcats defense regrouped to fend off the Huskies.

Following Tuesday afternoon’s loss, Garza said his team needs to rebound if they are to advance to the state tournament.

“We have to battle back, regroup, and refocus,” he said. “On paper we were supposed to win. It’s a whole new season for us.”

The Huskies return to the soccer field Thursday when they host the Wapato Wolves at 4 p.m in a loser-out district contest.