Despite putting together a first half where Alpena held a 2-0 lead going into halftime, the second half was a completely different story.

The Titans took full advantage of every Wildcat mistake, ultimately heading home with a grinded-out 3-2 win.

“In the first half, our forwards got dangerous,” Alpena coach Gregg Supiran said. “We connected really well with each other, and we really pressured them. The tenacity and grit going in to win the ball were huge early on, but we only played one half of the game tonight. We have to come ready to finish the game going forward.”

While the game didn’t finish in favor of Alpena, the Wildcats maintained possession of the ball early on for several scoring opportunities.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Ezra Peterson travels down the field in AHS’s girls soccer game on Tuesday in Alpena against Traverse City West.

Eventually, after nearly twelve minutes of play, at 28:44, Reese Wisniewski started the scoring for Alpena.

This breakaway opportunity left Wisniewski one-on-one with the goalie, which resulted in the ball being in the back of the net.

Taking an early lead has been key all season, but the Wildcats have found it challenging to remain in the lead throughout the season.

Four minutes later, the Titans nearly found a goal to tie the game up, but a clear from Sidney LaCross saved the 1-0 lead.

The Wildcats maximized this burst of momentum and even managed to draw a free kick on TC West’s side of the field.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Faith Dragiewicz travels down the field during AHS's soccer game on Tuesday.

Laurel Alberts elected to take the shot, and even though the Titan’s goalie got a hand on the ball, Alberts sunk the shot to extend the lead.

Up 2-0 going into the half, Alpena just needed to survive and keep up with West to earn its first conference win.

While this seemed attainable, the Titans almost immediately scored from the halftime break to cut the lead to 2-1.

Then, with 29:25 left in the match, Sadie Wares tied up the game.

This shot soared over the head of Alpena’s goalie, which also came on a free kick after a TC West injury occurred.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School’s girls’ soccer team celebrates after a score on Tuesday in Alpena during their game against Traverse City West. The Titans overpowered the Wildcats in the second half to take the 3-2 win.

Now, the lead had completely deceased, and all momentum favored the Titans.

Ten minutes later, Traverse City took the lead and the win.

Avery Plummer was credited with the goal after she met Alpena’s goalie and knocked the ball just to the right and out of reach for the score.

This goal finalized the win and sent Alpena home devastated.

“Our fitness level is not where we want it to be right now,” Coach Supiran said. “I really liked how we came out and how our midfield played, but they looked gassed in the second half. We’re going to work and train hard because it’s not really acceptable to lose like we did tonight.”

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Laurel Alberts travels across the field during Tuesday's AHS soccer game in Alpena.

Alpena hosts Traverse City Central today.