Owen Donovan scored twice in the final 13 minutes to tie Tuesday’s game at 4-4, but the Huskies were unable to protect their goal for the last six minutes of regulation in a 5-4 loss at Wapello. 

Senior Hector Zepeda scored four goals for Wapello and has 14 times during a 1-8 start for the Indians. 

Donovan put 14 shots on goal in the loss, including another potential game-tying shot that hit the cross bar with under two minutes remaining. 

“I can’t ask anymore from that kid, he’s a true competitor,” Highland coach Dylan Stewart said. “He really comes out every game and wants to win, and that’s why he’s got a captain’s band.”

The Huskies had defensive letdowns at times after failing to score on an offensive attack, Wapello countered Highland’s runs with the speed of Zepeda, who slipped behind the defense and finished with goals. 

“Consistency is where we find success and we have yet to play a full game,” Stewart said. “We show flashes of brilliance, but you can’t have flashes in an 80-minute game. It’s a long game.”

Donovan has seven goals on the season. Wapello gave up an own goal on a throw in to tie the game 2-2 before halftime. 

Ramses Vergara had two assists in the game and leads the team with five total.

The Huskies dropped to 0-8 with a 6-0 loss to Central Lee on  Thursday and an 8-0 loss to Mid-Prairie on Monday. The Huskies travel to Danville on Monday, May 17.