Washington junior Kyle Anderson (center) moves the ball into the Demons’ offensive end during Monday’s Southeast Conference game versus Mount Pleasant. Photo by KCII Sports Nate Gonner.

The latest installment of the Washington vs. Mount Pleasant rivalry on the soccer field came down to the final minute. The two Southeast Conference boys’ teams squared off Monday afternoon at Washington High School as both teams tried to end losing steaks. Mount Pleasant scored the go-ahead goal in the 79th minute, edging Washington 3-2.

Three of the five goals scored on the evening came in a 90 second span in the first half. Mount Pleasant (2-5 overall) got on the scoreboard first in the 13th minute when freshman Cade Warner found the back of net to give the Panthers and early advantage. The lead was short lived as 30 seconds later, Washington sophomore Julio Salgado-Hernandez fired a shot into the top right corner to even the game at 1-1. The Demons (2-5 overall) took their only lead of the game in the 14th minute when Kyle Anderson kicked a deflected shot right past Panther goalkeeper Nathan Rauenbuehler for a 2-1 advantage. The score would stay intact as the teams headed into halftime.

Three minutes into the second half, the Panthers got the equalizer when Warner sent the ball into the corner of the goal, making the contest 2-2. The teams were even until the 79th minute, when Mount Pleasant was fouled inside Washington’s penalty box, giving the Panthers a free kick at goalie Thomas Zimmer. Zimmer blocked Warner’s chance at a hat trick, but couldn’t recover in time as Ryan Hutchinson put the deflected shot into the net for a 3-2 advantage.

The win snaps a three-game conference losing streak for the Panthers, improving their overall record to 2-4 overall. Washington’s struggles against league opponents continues, falling to 2-5.

Washington’s next match takes place this Saturday when they travel to Keokuk for a Southeast Conference contest against the Keokuk Chiefs (3-4 overall).