The Bainbridge High School Bearcats varsity soccer team dropped a close 4-3 game to visiting Americus-Sumter on Tuesday, at Centennial Field.

Americus jumped out to a 4-0 lead late in the first half, but Bainbridge bounced back to make a game of it.

Milo Rivera got the Bearcats on the scoreboard in the 43rd minute, after taking a crossing pass from Carlos Becerra. In the 60th minute, Luis Mejia scored a goal on a direct kick from just outside the penalty area, making the score 4-2.

Mejia struck again in the 67th minute, after taking an assist from Daniel Provence on another direct kick from just outside the penalty box.

Bainbridge coach Jamie Ard said he was “disgusted” with his team’s performance early.

“I was pretty disgusted and embarrassed by the way we played the first half,” he said. “Yes, we had two senior defenders missing from our back line of defense, but we absolutely cannot and will not use that as an excuse to play so poorly. We just weren’t ready to play this game, and that’s my fault.”

However, Ard said he was very happy to see his team compete better in the second half.

“I told the guys at halftime that the second half was more about character building,” he said. “I told them that if they had any character, they would come out and actually fight back and try to at least get a tie, or possibly even a win.

“I think the guys proved that they had good character because of how hard they fought. We really almost came all the way back.”

Ard singled out the play of defender Michael Bush and freshman Jay Castro, pointing out their effort helped make a difference.

“[Castro] literally ran until he could not run anymore,” he said. “His hustle really made a difference in the second half.”

Bainbridge’s next game is today, Saturday, March 23, at Thomasville at noon. The Bearcats also travel to play Thomas County-Central on Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m.

Bainbridge’s next game at Centennial Field is Friday, March 29, against Hardaway, at 7:30 p.m.