A four-goal second half is pretty special.

It becomes extra special when the feat leads to a program first. That’s exactly what happened Friday night as the Alcovy girls’ soccer team beat its cross-town rivals Eastside 5-2.

Prior to Friday, the Lady Tigers had never beaten the Eagles, the closest coming a year ago to the tune of a 2-2 tie. Well, that never can never be said again.

“This is huge,” Alcovy coach Phil Davidson said. “The seniors really wanted to come back and win it this year.”

They did exactly that, focusing all day not on setting a first but picking up a big win after falling 10-0 to Union Grove on Tuesday.

“They were just fired up,” Davidson said. “They were really fired up all day long and looking forward to the game.”

Sage Fuller started it off, putting a goal in the net to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead in the first half. The first half was a contentious one for the Lady Tigers, who were just kicking it up field and hoping to find an open runner. 

The second half was a different story

The Lady Tigers played a possession game in the final 40 minutes, working the ball up through their midfielders along the outside of the pitch.

That led to another goal by Fuller, followed by three more Alcovy scores before Eastside could find the net.

“I just told them to keep playing like they were playing in the first half,” Davidson said. “We have not played well so far this season, and they put it all together in this game.

“The girls moved the ball well, and possessed it well. It paid off for us at the end.”

Mary Ruth Davis put Alcovy ahead 3-0 before Alex Jordan added a fourth goal. Morgan Eddleman capped the Lady Tigers’ scoring on a header off a corner kick from the right side.

Eastside spoiled the shutout with 5:47 to play as Victoria Reich scored up the middle. She struck again with 2:56 to play on a ball that went just past Alcovy keeper Marie Peck’s hands.

It was the seventh shot on Peck in the game, with five going for saves.

“She kept them out until those couple of goals at the end,” Davidson said. “She really helps our defense.”