When first-year Natchez coach Peter Rinaldi scheduled four games this season between his fledgling team and cross-town rival Cathedral, he expected to win at least one of them.

After Saturday’s 3-1 loss to the Green Wave – Natchez’s third loss to Cathedral – the Bulldogs have only one chance left.

&uot;What’s the saying? Always a bridesmaid and never the bride,&uot; Rinaldi said.

The Bulldogs played their best game versus Cathedral this season, holding the Green Wave scoreless until 10 minutes into the second half.

&uot;The last time we played, Byron Zerby scored three goals on us, so this time I pulled a guy out of our zone to shadow him,&uot; Rinaldi said. &uot;That’s why it was 0-0 well into the second half.&uot;

But Zerby soon found a way to contribute, setting up Johnathan Elliot for the first goal of the game.

Cathedral (5-5) took a 2-0 lead when Natchez goalie Carl Hayes found himself out of position and John Erick Myers took advantage for an easy goal.

&uot;John (Elliot) put the ball down the middle of the field and I ran under it,&uot; Myers said. &uot;The keeper came out, and I took a shot at the open goal.&uot;

Natchez (3-8) made the game interesting when Paige Bonds cut the Green Wave lead to 2-1 with a late goal, but Meyers answered with his second goal of the game.

&uot;We were lucky to get out of here alive,&uot; said Cathedral coach Rocky Kettering. &uot;Natchez gets better every time we play each other. They played hard, and they really wanted this one. We were lucky to get a couple by.&uot;

Natchez travels to North Pike Tuesday, and Cathedral will play at North Pike Thursday. The Green Wave will then host the Bulldogs Saturday in the final match of the season between the two teams.