STEUBENVILLE – Momentum can change in an instant.

The Big Red boys’ soccer team led Marietta by two goals at halftime, however, the Tigers turned the tide in the second half as the visitors from Washington County tallied four unanswered goals to come away with a 4-2 victory Monday night on Reno Saccoccia Field inside Harding Stadium.

“We had a chance to put them away early,” Big Red (9-5-1) head coach Greg Bowers said. “We had a chance to make it 3 or 4-0, but we missed. They had some nice shots. The momentum changed, we did not do a good job handling it, and they took it to us.”

Cole Bowers recorded both goals for the Red and Black.

JJ Lamantia made one save in goal for the hosts.

Will Haller tallied two goals for the Orange and Black, while Cole Bergin and Desh Bigley each contributed one.

Finn Tindall finished the match with six saves for the visitors.

Bowers had a golden opportunity to give Big Red the early lead, but Tindall made a big save to keep the match scoreless.

It would remain that way for more than 25 minutes before Bowers delivered his first goal of the night. Big Red was awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the penalty box. Bowers took the kick, but Tindall made a diving save, however, the ball bounced back to Bowers, who calmly buried it into the back of the net to give the boys from Jefferson County a 1-0 lead.

Bowers netted second goal with 1:55 remaining in the first half to give Big Red a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

The hosts seemed to be in control, however, the boys in white did not go away quietly as the Tigers (6-6-3) stormed back with four goals in the second half to rally for the win.

Marietta’s comeback began when Bergin fired a shot over the head of Lamantia and into the back of the net to pull the visitors to within 2-1. Then, Haller produced his first goal of the match to knot the score at 2. Haller picked up his second goal when he scored off a rebound off a shot that hit the far post to give the Tigers the lead at 3-2. Another unfortunate bounce led to Marietta’s fourth goal when Bigley scored on a free kick after the ball hit off a Big Red defender, changing the path of the ball to the open side of the net.

“Their coach has been doing this for 17 years, I have been doing this for 21 years, and we have never played each other,” Coach Bowers said. “We saw film on them. They move the ball a little bit. They are a strong team defensively. We were happy with the two goals, but we have to do a better job of closing teams out.”

Big Red also had a 2-0 lead against Beaver Local Sept 11 at home, however, the Beavers rallied for a 3-2 victory.

“It is the second time this has happened,” Coach Bowers said. “We can’t let that happen.

“The next time it happens, our season will be over.”

Marietta is scheduled to play Caldwell at 6 p.m. Wednesday at home.

Big Red is slated to play Harrison Central at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at home. It will be Senior Night for Big Red.