A fast start didn't guarantee the same kind of finish for the Phoenix boys' soccer team.

After scoring in the game's opening moments to take an early lead over defending state champion Newport, the Pirates were unable to find the goal the rest of the way in a heart-pounding 2-1 loss to the Cubs in an OSAA Class 4A playoff game at Colver Field Wednesday afternoon.

Newport scored the game-winning goal with just over two minutes to play, breaking a 1-1 tie and sending the Cubs to the quarterfinals on Saturday night at Seaside. Meanwhile, the Skyline Conference champion Pirates end the season with an 8-4-2 mark. 

Phoenix wasted little time taking the lead when Gustavo Pinon turned a loose ball in front of the goal into a score three minutes into the game. Bryson Flenner hit the side of the goal with a shot, leaving it for Pinon to convert into the score.

Despite trailing, Newport started to surge after the early deficit. The visitors finally found the net with five left in the first half to tie the game. The Cubs continued to attack throughout the second half, only to be turned away by Phoenix, before finally breaking through when Ricardo Gonzalez-Vasquez trickled a ball into the net.

Seniors Giovanni Cook, Juan Paso, Sergio Urena, Ramon Rivera, Kassem Akil and Jacob Jee played their final contest for the Pirates.