The four-game winning streak expired as the Northmen pressured the Wildcats into a 3-1 loss.

Petoskey succeeded when constantly firing shots at Alpena’s goal and limiting the shot opportunities the Wildcats found offensively.

“Petoskey is a great team that is currently undefeated, so we knew this one would be tough,” Alpena coach Gregg Supiran said. “Our game plan was to try and keep it close and to capitalize on our chances. We fell short in doing so, even though at times we found some success. I just believe the little things were what held us back (yesterday), so going forward we need to improve.”

Early on, it was apparent that Petoskey had the upper hand, consistently being in the right place at the right time.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Faith Dragiewicz runs after the ball during AHS’s soccer game in Alpena on Tuesday. The Wildcats played the Petoskey Northmen, ultimately losing 3-1.

Whenever Alpena’s strikers were in a position to take advantage of a pass, Petoskey always seemed to be right there, waiting to jar the ball loose.

It wasn’t until the Wildcats were seven minutes into the game that it attempted its first shot on goal.

Faith Dragiewicz came up short, but the added pressure proved costly later.

Four minutes later, at 29:12, the Northmen struck the scoreboard first after Anica Gandhi nailed the net on an open shot.

Petoskey stole an early lead and extended it further when the clock hit 22:12.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey The Alpena Wildcats shake hands with their opponents, the Petoskey Northmen, on Tuesday in Alpena after their soccer game. AHS lost 3-1.

Lillian Premo caused the damage this time, slipping the ball into the back right corner of the net while Alpena’s goalie dove to the left.

Lots of time passed until, essentially out of nowhere, Dragiewicz and the Wildcat’s slight pressure paid off.

Dragiewicz shot the ball from the left corner, and as the ball crossed over the net, Reese Wisniewski cleaned up the rebound for the score.

Cutting the lead to 2-1, Alpena went into the half with a bit of added momentum.

Exiting halftime, both sides began to set in as the ball endlessly switched possessions.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Laurel Alberts winds up for the kick during Tuesday’s game against Petoskey in Alpena. The Wildcats lost to the Northmen, 3-1.

Each team struggled to find offensive success, and neither team achieved scoring opportunities until Petoskey put the nail in the coffin for the Wildcats.

Gandhi, and the Northmen, discovered a clear mistake in Alpena’s defense and effort output onto the field.

Gandhi dribbled the ball right into the defense, but not a single defender rushed towards the ball, allowing a wide-open shot right near the goal.

Taking full advantage of this chance, Gandhi drilled the shot with ease to take a 3-1 lead.

This complete defensive lapse demonstrated clear signs of fatigue for Alpena, which ultimately led both sides scoreless for the remainder of the match.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Faith Dragiewicz runs after the ball during AHS’s soccer game in Alpena on Tuesday. The Wildcats played the Petoskey Northmen, ultimately losing 3-1.

The final score ended 3-1, as Petoskey remains undefeated, and Alpena still finds itself winless in the Big North Conference.

“When we move off the ball well and pass well, we find success,” Supiran said. “We saw that once tonight, but we just need to be more consistent with our accuracy and then we can be dangerous. Gaylord’s next up and we know that’s a winnable game. We’re going to come out with our best effort, cured from fatigue, and we’re going to play our best when we have a great chance to win.”

Alpena travels to Gaylord on Thursday.