MANCHESTER — Trinity of Manchester couldn’t land the first goal and couldn’t quite catch up thereafter, losing to Lebanon, 2-1, in a highly competitive Division II boys’ soccer game Wednesday afternoon.

The Pioneers dominated early but couldn’t cash in, falling to 3-3 and missing an opportunity to defeat a third straight title contender. Lebanon weathered the domination with solid defensive stands before striking the first two scores to avoid a two-game losing streak and improve to 7-1.

The postage-stamp sized Derryfield Park pitch demanded a physical, straight-ahead and decisive style of play. Both teams seemed to relish the opportunity, moving the ball up and down the field with over-the-top passes followed by one-touch looks down low.

Trinity took charge early. Jacob Zimmerman, with defenders suffocating his every move, worked free but struck some shots high and wide. Ozzy Kahya arched what looked like a sure score from the end line, but Raiders keeper Will Sanborn leaped high for a critical save.

The Pioneers continued searching for a score. Liam Clifford and Zach Girard had shots blocked on the goal line by defenders Jacob Ryder and Jeff Taylor.

“I was pretty nervous in the beginning,” said Sanborn in his first season as starter. He finished with 10 saves. “I thought we’d be OK because the offense was working hard looking for the first goal.”

Tanner Singleton crossed a pass to Evan O’Reilly, who was briefly left open about 20 yards from the net in the 32nd minute. Trinity keeper Zack Szczeckowicz (six saves) reversed direction and dove, getting a hand on the shot, yet the ball rolled into the net.

“I saw the keeper going across the net and aimed the shot in the opposite direction at the far post,” said O’Reilly. “The goal settled us down. Before that we were panicking with the ball.”

Jeff Purdy finished a scoring trick early in the second half, giving Lebanon a two-goal bulge.

“Hats off to Lebanon,” said Trinity coach Mike Martinez. “We dominated the middle of the pitch and they owned play at either end. All of our shots were made moving away from the goal. Lebanon’s defense didn’t budge. We really got one open shot and what happened then?”

Well, that’s when Zimmerman, a 6-foot-3 offensive force, scored. He leaped to settle a long throw-in from James Hall with his shoulder while shielding his defensive back and then unleashed a bullet to the far post in the 55th minute.

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Eric Emmerling may be reached at eemmerling@unionleader.com.