A tie in soccer can give a team the same lift as a win or the same deflation as a loss.

The ConVal boys' soccer team was dealt the latter on Tuesday after surrendering an early 2-0 lead over Pembroke that turned into a 2-2 tie, the third deadlock of the Cougars' early season. 

"We've had three ties, all at home," said second-year coach Nel Lima after Tuesday's game. "The first tie (2-2 against Plymouth) felt like a loss again, up 2-0. And we gave it away. Then another (2-2 against Souhegan), we were down 2-0 and fought back, so that one felt like a salvage job that we did really well to get back. This tie feels like a loss as well, especially with the late equalizer - it's kind of a gut check."

ConVal had a promising start against Pembroke, scoring nine minutes into the game when sophomore forward River Allen cleaned up a loose ball on the backside of the net to put the Cougars up 1-0.

"River's brilliant," Lima said. "We found a spot for him on the wing where he feels comfortable."

ConVal went up 2-0 on an Esben Andersen corner kick that found the feet of a leaping Max Cail, who gave it a two-foot one-touch into the net. 

"When we're going strong, we're mixing up our attacks," Lima said. "We're dangerous over the top. We're dangerous on the ground. We're winning balls in the air. Man-marking. We're playing well out of the back, not letting the other team get their offense started, disrupting it before they get going. We've done that before, but in spells. We need to complete a whole game from front to back doing that. That's what it looks like when we do well, but it needs to be more consistent."

Leading into halftime and throughout the second half, the game became progressively more physical, as ConVal was determined to hold the lead and Pembroke scratched and clawed for some offense. As the physicality increased, the referees found the effort too aggressive, and both sides were hit with a number of fouls for free spot kicks. 

"Unfortunately, discipline and not fouling has been a theme, or a habit that we're trying to break,” Lima said. “We leave the door open for other teams that way."

As the yellow cards came out, Pembroke got more and more chances, but were held at bay by sophomore goalkeeper Anthony Gutwein. The Spartans got their first great chance with 14 minutes remaining, drawing a penalty shot. Gutwein guessed to his left and got it, making the save and seeming to seal the game for ConVal, with all the momentum on their side. 

But in stoppage time, Pembroke drew another PK, and this time, Jake Hanson went to Gutwein's right as the keeper went to his left. A few more minutes of stoppage time ticked off before a final ConVal defensive breakdown allowed the ball past their charging goalie and onto the foot of Will Lecain, who finished it off for the tie. 

ConVal senior captains Ryan Close and Garret Rousseau were vocal with their team after the game, owning up to their own shortcomings while calling for an end to the mental mistakes that cost the Cougars crucial points in the Division II standings. At 2-1-3, ConVal is hovering at the top of the middle of DII; if they can move on from Tuesday's game and crack down on their bad habits, they have the personnel to play contender. 

"That's the biggest focus going into these next few games especially, is discipline, defense, patience, and cutting down the mental mistakes when we're tired," Lima said.

ConVal is at Laconia Thursday.