The Dauphin Clippers football team came, oh so close to remaining undefeated in the Rural Manitoba Football League, Saturday in Moosomin.

But a goalline stand on a two-point conversion ended with the Clippers suffering their first loss of the season, a 14-12 decision versus the Generals.

“It was a heartbreaker,” said Clippers coach Gerald Lopez.

Trailing in the dying seconds, 14-6, the Clippers scored a touchdown to pull to within two points. On the two-point conversion attempt, which would have tied the game, Dauphin’s receiver caught the ball and had his feet in the end zone.

“But the ball didn’t break the plane. And the game ended on that note,” Lopez said.

Lopez said the Clippers lost the game due to a couple of reasons.

“Our offence really couldn’t get a rhythm going. And when we tried, we ended up getting into penalty trouble,” he said, adding the two touchdowns scored by Moosomin were aided by penalties.

“At least 50 yards of penalties each drive. And then they scored,” he said.

Ronin Mouck and Julien Lopez had Dauphin’s touchdowns.

There were some positives to take from the game. Lopez said some players showed their leadership skills and helped their teammates hold it together.

“Other times, we just mentally broke down. We did it to ourselves. Moosomin is a tough place to play,” he added.

Lopez said it was a good learning experience for the team.

“We’ll look back at the tape. But I truly believe we are the better team. But the only way our kids can grow from this is to learn from this. And not only from this, it will translate into their own life self-discipline,” he said.

Dauphin, now 2-1 on the season, will look to right the ship when they face the 3-0 Southwest Sabres, Friday in Souris.

Lopez feels the Sabres will be a good match up for the Clippers.

“With all these games, our prime focus is we just forget about it. Acknowledge it, but forget about it. We can’t change the past. We just have to move forward. Learn from what happened. It’s a brand new practice on Monday and go from there. Just like anything else,” he said.