The Mexico boys had already played Moberly twice before Saturday’s district tournament game.

The No. 7 seed Bulldogs played its most competitive game against No. 2 seed Moberly in a 2-0 loss in the first round of the Class 2 District 5 tournament on Chris Hotop Field in Mexico. In Mexico’s previous two meetings with Moberly (16-10) this season, it had lost 9-1 and 7-1.

“We had several opportunities to score, but we could not seem to make it happen,” head coach Bill Gleeson said. “Despite the loss, I feel very good about our game because we maintained possession for the majority of the game.”

Mexico (2-21) trailed 1-0 at halftime and didn’t allow the second goal until late in the second half. 

“We had a game plan going in to limit their top scorer and that is what we did,” Gleeson said. “Unfortunately, we had a handball in the box in the first half that put the score at 1-0 off that penalty kick. Then they scored again late in the second half to put the score at 2-0. This was due to an error in the midfield.”

Mexico was shut out for the 10th time this season.

“The struggle this season was putting the ball in the net,” Gleeson said. “The defense would work hard but eventually get worn down and start making mistakes. We would play well the first half and then fall apart in the second half or spend the first half getting warmed up and then play really well the second half. The district game on Saturday was our best played game overall. We played well in both the first and second half.” 

At one point in the game, goalkeeper Alex Matuz-Sanchez stopped three consecutive shots in quick succession. 

“I am looking forward to next year because the major contributors of the game on Saturday are all coming back next year,” Gleeson said. “(Freshman) Dominick Garcia was key to stopping their top striker from scoring, and of course, (junior) Alex Matuz in goal, who had some very amazing saves.”