A strong first-half effort did not parlay into a solid second-half performance for the Aberdeen Central girls’ soccer squad on Tuesday afternoon.

After scoring the game’s first goal, Sioux Falls Roosevelt roared back to dominate the second half and collect a 2-1 non-conference victory at Brownell Activities Complex.

“We have to play the full 80 minutes,” said Central coach Merle Aske. “I thought we played a good first half and then the second half we got to ball watching a little bit and just not moving. And when we did get possession of the ball, we just didn’t keep it.”

The Rough Riders possessed the ball for the majority of the second half and had numerous scoring opportunities before they finally cashed in for a pair of goals.

“We have to do a better job of holding pressure on teams,” Aske said. “In the second half there’s no reason that we didn’t keep that pressure up other than the fact we just didn’t have the desire to go get it.”

Central jumped in front early on a goal by Keyana Stillman.

“I just read where the ball was and my teammates really helped me shade to where I needed to go,” Stillman said. “And then nobody was really pressuring me, so I took it all the way and then shot it and it went in.”

The freshman continues to play a big role for the Golden Eagles this season.

“My teammates really help me feel comfortable around the ball and it just really helps me to know where to go,” Stillman said, “and I really just want to be out there, so I try my best to make it look like it.”

Stillman has become a key offensive weapon for Central, providing a spark with her speed and athleticism.

“She’s gotten a lot better and she works hard. Her speed really helps her,” Aske said. “We’ve just got to find a way to get the ball at her feet sometimes going up in the right direction.”

Central plays host to Tea Area on Tuesday and Sioux Falls Lincoln on Thursday next week. They are key games as the Golden Eagles head down the home stretch.

“We’ve got to find way to win these next couple of games,” Aske said, “and figure out a way to finish the season.”

The Golden Eagles are in a battle for playoff positioning, so each game takes on added importance as the regular season is fast drawing to a close.

“They’re really, really, really important to us,” Stillman said of the upcoming contests. “We’re going to try really hard to drive and push through those so we can get to the playoffs.”

Sioux Falls Roosevelt 0 2 – 2

Aberdeen Central 1 0 – 1

First half: 1, AC, Keyana Stillman, 20th minute.

Second half: 2, SFR, Kinsley Pesicka, 55th minute; 3, SFR, Peyton Pearson, 74th minute.

Shots on Goal: Sioux Falls Roosevelt 30, 17 on goal; Aberdeen Central 25, 9 on goal.

Goalies: Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Susan Olson (8 saves); Aberdeen Central, Taylor Thorstenson (12 saves), Ava Beck (3 saves).