Saranac Lake’s Bailey Bartholomew takes the ball away from an AuSable Valley player during Monday’s game. (Enterprise photo — Parker O’Brien)

SARANAC LAKE — After starting out the season on a not-so-great losing streak, the Saranac Lake boys soccer team found themselves in a close game, Monday.

“I think that was the best game we have played so far this year,” Saranac Lake head coach Brad Rafferty said. “There was times where we carried the play. The biggest difference was we started playing physical in the past we have been sitting back today we really kind of took that first step and initiated contact.”

The Red Storm fell to the AuSable Valley Patriots, 3-2, at home on Monday, but the close game proved how good the team can be.

In the first half, the Patriots’ Tristan Laundree scored to make the game 1-0. In the second half, AuSable Valley’s Hayden Lowther scored followed, by another goal from Laundree.

Down 3-0, the Red Storm needed to change up the intensity. Red Storm’s Bailey Bartholomew did just that when he scored to break the shutout.

Bartholomew didn’t quit. He scored once again. But with little time left, the Red Storm was defeated.

Rafferty said Bartholomew had a great game. He added that the Patriots’ Laundree was a handful and he played great.

“The intensity level and the physicality is what it came down to,” Rafferty said. “We didn’t sit back, we went for the 50-50 balls. There has been games that we sat back and didn’t go for those and today we did.”

Rafferty said that he wants the team build to off this game and to start playing a more physical.

“We are not the most skilled team in the league so we do need to get in their and bump some shoulders,” Rafferty said.

Saranac Lake’s William Tromblee and Owen Maiore each had an assist. Kenny Lawless had 10 saves in net.

The Red Storm will host Northeastern Clinton on Friday.