BUTLER TWP — One step behind turned into a six-goal loss for the Butler boys lacrosse team.

The Golden Tornado never managed consecutive goals in a 12-6 setback to Central Catholic Monday night at Art Bernardi Stadium.

“We had a couple of kids out with injuries and that hurt us,” said first-year Tornado coach Jim Vollberg. “We seemed distracted tonight. I don't know if it was because it was Senior Night, but right from the start, Central played a good game.”

The Vikings (2-5) received scores from Connor O'Donoghue and Austin McClure in the first 5:10 of the game and led 3-1 by the end of the first period.

Butler's first-period goal came courtesy of Jamison Smith with 5:33 on the clock.

Central Catholic did a good job of defending Butler's leading scorer, Clay Bachman, for the majority of the first half. But the junior attacker's first shot of the game yielded a goal on a pass from Kyler Luchkiw that cut the Vikings' lead to 4-2 with 2:29 remaining in the first half.

However, Sam Heaps got it right back for Central Catholic, beating Butler goalie Brandon Martin with 53 seconds left before halftime.

That would become the theme for the game. When Butler managed a goal to grab a bit of momentum, a Viking score soon followed.

“Groundballs were huge for us tonight,” said Central coach Jordon Sealock. “Ball management was the key to the win.”

Butler (3-8) did get a pair of second-half goals from Bachman and single tallies from Smith and Jake Harrison, but five penalties slowed the Golden Tornado attack.

Meanwhile, Heaps found the net three more times to help keep the Tornado at bay. His last goal came with 10:37 left in the game and increased his team's lead to 10-4.

“Sam is one of our best middies,” said Sealock of the junior. “He's one of our top scorers and he understands the game.”

The Tornado offense was never able to get into a rhythm, due in part to 10 turnovers in the attack zone.

“Our sticks were rusty tonight,” said Vollberg. “We'd have a guy driving the lane and then drop the ball. The stick-work just wasn't there tonight. We've had a bit of a lull and haven't practiced for three days.”

Martin made eight saves. Cy Neely manned Butler's net in the fourth period and tallied two stops. Central's Dan Ireland stopped seven shots.

Butler travels to Shady Side Academy on Thursday.