The Austin boys soccer team lost its fourth straight game when it lost 3-2 at Mankato East Thursday, but the Packers did have a couple of positives to take home with them.

Austin (3-7-2 overall, 2-5-2 Big Nine) was on the verge of being down 4-0 right before the half when Gach Gach, who had 14 saves, stopped a penalty kick and the two ensuing put-back attempts to keep his team in it.

“Gach came up big in the net,” Austin head coach Jens Levisen said. “Even though we gave up three goals, he was really strong in the net and he kept us right in there.”

The Packers played much better soccer in the second half as Ochan Ochogi and Noah Brehmer each scored within the first ten minutes of the second half to make things interesting. Austin had chances to tie the contest, but the Cougars (9-3-2 overall, 6-2-1 Big Nine) held them off.

“It wasn’t quite enough to tie it up, but we had a very solid team effort tonight,” Levisen said. “It was a very exciting second half to watch to see what the guys are capable of. We’re moving in the right direction and we’re close. We’re not quite there yet, but we’re knocking.”