Overland Park — Even Mother Nature seems to have conspired against Free State High's soccer team.
Trailing by a goal but on the attack, the Firebirds had their Saturday soccer match with Shawnee Mission West halted -- with two minutes to play -- because of lightning. The Vikings were declared 3-2 winners in the final game of the Kansas-Missouri Soccer Classic.
"We feel we're cursed," FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said. "It's the curse of the Free State soccer program. We're trying to break those hexes. It's a tough situation."
The Firebirds (0-4) seemed well on their way to breaking a hex when J.C. Stoner scored off an assist by Colin Baumchen for a 1-0 FSHS lead.
But the Vikings rallied and carried a 2-1 lead into the half.
Paul Epp scored on an assist by Todd Wilkins to make it 2-all, but again the Vikes went ahead when they scored off a penalty kick.
"It was a rough game," Pendleton said. "We played well, and we deserved to win. We outplayed the other team."
The Firebirds will play host to Shawnee Misison Northwest on Wednesday.
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