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Fortunately, the defense and superb goaltending by Franki Price had made one goal enough to win both.

But the Elks' luck eventually had to fold, and it did against Charlevoix in a critical Lake Michigan Conference game on Monday night.

The Rayders broke a scoreless tie midway through the second half and held on to beat the Elks 1-0.

With the loss Elk Rapids slipped into second place in the conference behind the Rayders. Charlevoix improved to 6-1 in the league while the Elks fell to 5-2.

All is not lost yet, however.

Elk Rapids still has a good chance to stay in the hunt for at least a share of the league title if the Elks can win the remainder of their league games.

But the pressure just intensified with the loss to Charlevoix.

Now, every league game is a must-win for the Elks.

Elk Rapids played the Rayders even throughout the first half.

The Elks frequently went to the ball first and appeared to be dominating the 50-50 chances.

"We were playing as a team with our heads up," coach Andrea Krakow said. "The girls were talking and listening to one another."

Krakow said the Elks looked tired in the second half.

"Unfortunately, we centered the ball in our defensive third of the field, which gave Charlevoix the set up to score.

"Despite being down 1-0, the girls gave it their best. We continue to center the ball instead of utilizing the width of the field."

Charlevoix finished the game with 10 shots on goal. Price did a masterful job in goal, but the Elks couldn't lessen the pressure on her by putting more pressure on the Rayders' goalkeeper.

Elk Rapids had two fewer shots on goal than the Rayders with eight.

The Elks junior varsity defeated Charlevoix 1-0 in the first game. Bazel Shaw scored the goal in the second half on an assist from Brandy Scram.

Alexis Ford was in net for the Elks and finished the game with 10 saves.

Olivia Morrison scored the only goal for the Elks in a 1-0 non-conference win over Glen Lake at home last Tuesday.

It came eight minutes into the first half on an assist from Lexi Small.

"The girls were not playing their best game," Krakow said. "We need to increase the talking and listening on the field."

Elk Rapids also centered the ball, rather than sending it to the outside where the Elks could better utilize their speed.

Although the Elks took 18 shots on goal was encouraging, but with only one finding the back of the net Krakow questioned their placement.

"We will be going back to the basics of passing, control and communication at practice," Krakow said.

The Elks take a 5-2-1 overall record into Saturday's multi-team tournament at Suttons Bay.