A slow start would serve as the downfall for the No. 14 men’s soccer team in its 1-0 loss to No. 10 Hastings on Wednesday.

“We had possession of the ball for a majority of the game,”senior captain Cameron Zimmerman said. “We battled really hard, and other than that one moment when they happened to score, we honestly played really well.”

The lone goal came with 16 minutes left to play. As Baker defenders tried clearing the ball from in front of their goal, it fell at the feet of a Bronco forward who squared up against senior goalkeeper Matt Bickley and sent it into the back of the net.

The Wildcats are now 8-5-2 on the season. Zimmerman said the team has improved immensely since the start of the year.

“We are playing a lot better by moving the ball around and fighting harder,” Zimmerman said. “We are definitely headed in the right direction toward post-season.”

The Wildcats will celebrate senior night on Saturday as they take on Avila University at Liston Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 8:30 p.m.