Fort Dale Academy lost 6-5 in a shootout to Macon-East Montgomery Academy after double overtime in the Eagles’ season opener Monday night.

Despite the loss, FDA head coach Josh Wildermuth was pleased with the play of his team.

“I thought we played well,” he said. “When it comes down to a shootout it’s really just a roll of the dice. Our guys played hard and we had a shot there at the end.”

The Knights took an early 1-0 lead after scoring just 43 seconds into the contest.

Fort Dale’s Jake Gillem tied the game at a goal apiece with 30:51 remaining to play in the first half when he found the back of the net on a penalty kick.

The Eagles (0-1) took the lead with 14:02 to play in the first half when Price Jones headed a pass from Cole Davis past the Knights’ goalkeeper.

Fort Dale extended its lead to 3-1 early in the second half when Gillem scored on a pass from Davis.

Macon-East responded with a pair of goals to knot the game at 3-all at the end of the regulation.

After a pair of scoreless overtime periods, the Knights scored on three of their five kicks in tahe shootout, while the Eagles managed just two goals.

Fort Dale’s Taylor Thomas recorded nine saves, including one as time expired in the second overtime to send the game into a shootout.

“Defensively, we allowed their guys to run in space and gave them too much room and that led to giving up some goals,” Wildermuth said. “We need to stay more compact, but that’s something we can correct. For a first game, I felt like we played real well and have something we can build on.”

Both Fort Dale and Macon-East tallied 12 shots on goal.

The Eagles will be back in action on Saturday against Northside. The game begins at 1 p.m.