Aberdeen Central found offense hard to come by in a season-opening 1-0 setback to Spearfish in non-conference girls’ soccer action Friday evening at Brownell Activities Complex.

The Golden Eagles were put in an early hole and were never able to get out of it.

Spearfish scored early in the first half on a corner kick by Brooke Peotter in the 11th minute, putting Central in an early deficit. Central coach Merle Aske said the ball did not bounce his team’s way during the goal.

“The first half we just did not play very well and on a corner kick, the person the ball ended up dropping to, just bounced to them in the correct spot, and we just didn’t get a step to it,” Aske said. “I don’t know how it missed our person on the corner on the post, but it’s just one of those things that happens on corner kicks once in a while.”

After giving up the early score, Central settled in defensively, but still failed to put in a goal throughout the contest.

Aske said giving up the goal made it tougher for his team to get one of its own.

“Once you give up a goal, because they’re playing everybody behind the ball, playing eight people in the box trying not to let us get in, when that happens and they get an early lead, then it makes that job all the tougher for us, and we just couldn’t find a way to get one in today,” Aske said.

Despite outshooting the Spartans, 22-16, Central could not find the back of the net, giving Spearfish the season-opening victory over the second-rated Golden Eagles.

Aske felt the second half went about how he expected it to go.

“It went about the way I thought. We had a lot of pressure on them, but we just have to find a way to get a goal,” Aske said. “The shots weren’t quite there. We had some people working where they didn’t get in the right spots, but it’s just one of those things that’s going to take time for us to get all that stuff in. Hopefully, in a few weeks we’ll be playing a lot better.”

Aberdeen Central will travel to Sioux Falls Jefferson on Tuesday, and Aske noted there are adjustments that will need to be made before the next contest.

“Basically, it’s movement and maintaining possession of the ball,” Aske said. “We just gave up the ball too much.”

Spearfish 1 0 – 1

Aberdeen Central 0 0 – 0

First Half

1, S, Brooke Peotter, 11th minute.

Second Half

No scoring.

Shots on Goal: Spearfish 7; Aberdeen Central 10.

Goalies: Spearfish, Lauren Peotter (10 saves); Aberdeen Central, Ciara Frank (6 saves).