Fallston experienced problems converting on scoring opportunities Monday night at C. Milton Wright, where the Mustangs did not find as many chances but fared better when they got them.
CMW's 2-0 victory denied Fallston a chance to clinch the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference Chesapeake Division title.
Jay Butler scored in the second minute, and Sean Fleming added another later in the half as the Mustangs earned the win.
The Mustangs (8-4-1, 5-1) pulled into a tie with Fallston (11-2, 5-1) for first place in the division in their final UCBAC game this season. Bel Air has two remaining, and if the Bobcats win out, there would be a three-way tie for first place with tie-breakers needed to determine the winner.
In Monday's game, the Mustangs set the tone with the early Butler goal. Fallston kept trying to pressure and often pushed the ball deep into the C. Milton Wright end but just could not convert.
"They had a good number of a opportunities to put the ball in the box," CMW coach Brian Tully said. "We're comfortable playing that way. Guys were very disciplined and played within themselves."
Starting goalie Ryan Miller made six saves before senior Dylan Cushner came on for the final 10 minutes and added another key one on a tough Fallston header from right in front.
Miller aggressively came out of the goal and broke up plays several times. He stopped a bunch of crosses, and that hurt Fallston. Cushner also played well in his stint.
But in the end, it was that first quick goal that gave the Mustangs a lead they never lost. It also helped them snap a two-game losing streak.
Butler gave CMW the 1-0 lead when he scored from just inside of 10 yards. The ball was headed around a bit as Fallston tried to clear but it came to Butler, and he volleyed it in just 1 minute, 23 seconds into the game.
"I didn't know where it was going," Butler said with a smile. "It raised our intensity. This is the best game we've played."
C. Milton Wright was content to play defense and counterattack at times after going in front early. Its best scoring chance came later in the half when Ian Fink got control of the ball and fed it to Fleming who put a low shot from about 15 yards out inside the right post for a 2-0 lead with 15:03 remaining.
The Cougars kept trying in the second half, coming up with some good scoring chances. Jake Kauffman had a shot that hit the inside of the left post and bounced on the line before a defender cleared the ball with about 29 minutes left.
Ben Muzzelo of Fallston then headed a shot from in front that Cushner made a diving save on with just over six minutes remaining. The Cougars never converted, and their 10-game winning streak ended.
"It just wasn't our night tonight," Fallston coach Drew Bisker said. "It's difficult to win every night in this league."
Huskies crush Rising Sun
Also Monday, Patterson Mill beat Rising Sun, 10-1.
Andrew Papageorgopoulos, Cameron Neumann and Joe Cicenia each had two goals while Dean Gonzalez, Rob Gentry, Ryan Greezicki and Josh Turing each had one.
Greezicki and Papageorgopoulos each recorded two assists and Matt Berger, Gentry, Cicenia, Neumann and Adam Antonakos each had one.
Husky goalie Ryan Jeon made three saves while Scott Meyler recorded five.
Mariners fall
The Perryville boys' soccer team traveled to Joppatowne Monday evening and played spoilers for the Mariners senior night with a 3-0 victory.
Kevin Makach scored twice for the Panthers in the first half, first on a header off a corner kick from Jon Hamamcioglu then off an assist from Nick Roberts.
In the second half the roles were reversed, with Roberts headed home a Makach corner kick.
Perryville's defense had another excellent game with solid performances by Don Muscella, Jarrett Bowman, Travis Rehbein, Dalton Dunman and team captain Roberts.
Trevor Prevost recorded eight saves in goal.
Harford Christian was back in the boys soccer win column Friday, hosting Frederick Christian in a 7-0 victory.
Senior Josh Weaver scored two goals and freshman Dallas Kane added two assists in the win.
In two other games, North Harford (3-7-2) won 4-1 at Harford Tech (6-4-2) and Edgewood (6-4) was shut out by visiting Century, 4-0, in non-league play.
Cougars beat Cobras
The Fallston Cougars boys soccer team stepped away from UCBAC Chesapeake Division play Thursday, but that didn't stop the team from winning.
The Cougars (11-1) hosted and defeated Harford Tech (6-3-2), 1-0, in the non-division game.
Andrew Solomon scored the game's only goal, 20 minutes into the second half, unassisted.
Huskies beat Eagles
Patterson Mill (1-2-1, 6-6-1) visited and beat Aberdeen (1-4, 7-6), 3-2, Thursday in Chesapeake play.
The Huskies were led by Rob Gentry, who had a goal and two assists. Jake Smith and Josh Turing also scored goals for the Huskies and Joe Cicenia was credited with an assist.
The Huskies played two keepers, with Ryan Jeon making two saves and Scott Meyler recording six saves.
Other score
In non-league play at C. Milton Wright, the Mustangs (7-4-1) were shut out by Archbishop Curley, 4-0.