FORSYTH — No. 6 state-ranked Spalding High lost its first match of the season, falling 1-0 Saturday morning to Northside-Warner Robins in the annual Bulldog Cup at Billy Lancaster Field when a lazy crossing pass by Kelsey Barton curved around the keeper’s outstretched hands and into the back of the net with 8:31 left to play.

The loss relegated the Lady Jags (4-1) to the consolation match against Howard late Saturday afternoon, while Northside-Warner Robins (4-2-1) won its third in a row and fourth in the last five matches during a stretch where they have not lost as they advanced to the title match also later in the day. Both matches were too late for this edition.

“It’s a good learning experience,” longtime Spalding High coach Wayne Gardner said of his team’s morning match.

Coming into the match the Lady Jags had outscored their previous four opponents by a combined margin of 35-1. Spalding had no such luxury during a match that resembled more of a chess match as the teams squared off all morning on 50-50 balls at midfield with precious few breaks in one direction or the other.

“I’m not disappointed in the way we played,” added Gardner. “I felt like we had the better play, but we just gave up a goal late.”

Spalding (4-1 overall, 1-0 region) continues its season 7:30 p.m., Tuesday when it jumps backs into Region 4-AAAA play hosting Dutchtown (0-2, 0-1) at Memorial Stadium in Griffin.