The Hazen girls soccer season got off to a bumpy start this weekend against one of the top teams in the state, but coach Ken Matthews is not particularly worried about the 6-2 loss to Eastside Catholic.

“I schedule these games because it’s a great way to see where we are,” Matthews said in a press release. “As I told the girls, don’t worry about the score; play our game so we can improve moving forward.”

The Highlanders were also hampered when senior captain and forward Taylor Lenton missed wide on a early chance and then left the game with an injury.

“We had to scramble a little after that,” Matthews said.

Hazen kept it close for the first half as the teams stayed nil-nil until the 30th minute when the Crusaders picked up their first goal. The score stayed 1-0 as the teams went to the half.

Eastside scored three minutes into the second half to take a 2-0 lead, but the Highlanders cut the lead in half on a tap-in goal by freshman forward Madison Taylor.

Seconds later, Hazen had what Matthews said appeared to be a second goal but the Eastside keeper made a great save and the Crusaders counter ended up in the Hazen net.

Hazen’s Clara Brodie picked up a goal to keep it a one-goal game, but because the team was pushing to score, Matthews said the defenders and the keeper were vulnerable and Eastside was able to take advantage for a 6-2 final score.

“When we play these tough opponents I’m worried about two things: I don;t want the girls to be discouraged and I hope we don;t have to reinvent the Wheel,” Matthews said. “I think we’re going to be OK on both of those.”

Hazen falls to 0-1-0 on the young season. The Highlanders are scheduled to take on Liberty at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, at Hazen.