The six-game winning streak maintained by the Blue Ridge Bobcats boys soccer team was snapped by Highlands in a tough mid-season loss at home.
The Highlanders defeated the Bobcats, 2-1, dropping the Bobcats to 6-1 in the Smoky Mountain 1A conference and 6-4-1 overall. Highlands improved to 8-4 overall and remained unbeaten at 8-0 in Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference play.
The visiting Highlanders battled the Bobcats in a challenging game that involved aggressive defense on both sides.
For more than 15 minutes, the Highlanders and Bobcats showed their defensive strengths and prevented either side from gaining its first goal of the game.
With 23:45 left in the first half, Highlands sophomore Jim Rex lined up the first shot for his team, lighting up the scoreboard and setting the game at 1-0.
The Highlanders kept the match even from there and would not let the Bobcats breathe for the next 20 minutes, with consistent hard-nosed defense.
Finally, with less than five minutes on the clock, Blue Ridge striker Jeysson Soriano Diaz tied the game at 1-1 when he got loose for a rare scoring opportunity.
The defense was the difference maker for both teams in the second half after Highlands was allowed a goal in the early minutes of the half at 37:43.
Highlands battled Hayesville on Wednesday night and will back on their home turf on Monday when Cherokee comes calling for a 6 p.m. match.