DAPHNE, Alabama — The Spanish Fort boys brought their 9-0 record down from The Hill to the Jubilee Plains Tuesday night at Daphne High, but the Toros fell short of making it a 10-game opening win streak as the Trojans built a 3-0 lead and held on for a 4-2 victory.

Daphne jumped out to a 3-0 spot by the half, but the Toros outscored their hosts 2-1 in the second half to avoid being shutout — a fate they have handed to seven of their opponents so far this year. The Trojans are the first team to score more than one goal on the still red-hot 9-1 Bulls. Daphne too opened with a 9-0 run before falling 1-0 to Fairhope last week.

The Trojans upped their record to 10-1 on goals by James Croissant, Jordan Kenny and a pair by Josh Gurvitz including a PK for the only second-half Daphne score between the Toro goals. Spanish Fort answered the deficit in the second half with scoring strikes by Eric Jaegge on a break and Caleb Gautreaux who finished a feed from Jaegge.

“It’s good to renew this rivalry,” said Daphne head coach Rick Andrew. “And, hey, they have a quality side, we think we do, too. It only makes sense we get together and go at it. And it always helps to play quality opponents and we met one here tonight. We need this kind competiton to get back to doing what we do well, that is, move the ball around a lot and take some nice shots. I was pleased with the starters for taking it to them early and not waiting for something to happen. That gave us a chance to rest some people and get everybody a chance to play which is always a good thing. We have a big one coming up with McGill (Toolen Catholic) and after losing to Fairhope, it makes it even bigger.”

Toros first year coach Mitch Warfield said he preferred a different outcome, but was pleased with how hard his players played and hopes the match pays off down the road to the playoffs.

“After winning nine straight, we don’t like this,” he said. “But we want to remember it to help remind us how much we like to win, instead. But Daphne is definitely the type of team we needed to see. We’re getting into that part of the season with St. Paul’s and Gulf Shores coming up so we need to work against teams like this. That’s a heck of a team and I’m just glad we could hang with them. They play a fast up-tempo stye of play and it was good for us because we will be seeing more of that. I came over and watched them play the other night, to scout them a little and, wow, they are a special team. We just got off to a slow start and by the time we kind of found our game again, they had put some more up. So, overall I’m very proud of these guys. I’m proud of the way they stayed tough and fought back right to the final whistle. I think we learned a lot and I believe we’ll be even better for having scheduled this game.”

Both teams have important region matches next. Daphne will host the Yellow Jackets of McGill-Toolen Friday at 7 p.m.

In 6A Region 2. Spanish Fort will travel to Saint Paul’s Episcopal School March 13 for a 5:30 p.m. Kickoff in 5A Region 1.