It might not have been the World Cup, but Tuesday's boys soccer game between Free State High and Olathe South wasn't exactly a yawner, either.
Olathe South's Jeremy McEver slipped a shot past Free State senior goalkeeper Danny Lenz in the 78th minute as the Falcons upended the Firebirds, 2-1, at the FSHS field.
"It wasn't as intense the first half," FSHS senior Pat Watkins said. "But in the second half, they were stringing passes together and we were playing kind of well. Emotions were running high.
"We wanted this win to start off the second third of the season."
Free State (0-7) felt it had a decent chance to defeat previously-winless Olathe South (1-4).
"They've had some tough games," Olathe South coach Tom Hardy said of the Firebirds. "They're hustling; they're working hard. Free State, you can tell they've still got that desire to win.
"With a 0-7 team that keeps fighting as hard as they did, good things happen."
The Firebirds jumped to a 1-0 lead on senior J.C. Stoner's goal in the 15th minute, but the Falcons answered 10 minutes later on Matt Trumpp's tally.
Then in the second half, both squads had their scoring chances.
"We've had a lot of close games," Watkins said. "All of our games have gone down to the wire. If we can just put a goal in in the last 20 minutes of the game, I think we can get a win."
Free State actually scored a goal in the 42nd minute, but it was called off because the Firebirds were offsides. A few minutes later Free State's Todd Wilkins, Nick Ens and Colin Baumchen all had chances to score down low, but were denied by Olathe South goalkeeper Ian Cowan.
Then the Falcons went on the attack, peppering Lenz with shot after shot. Free State's senior goalie was equal to the task, denying Olathe South time and time again.
"He made some fabulous saves in the second half," FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said. "He kept us in the game in the second half. He gave us an opportunity to win the game. He kept us in the game and gave us a chance to win and that's all you can ask."
The Firebirds were unofficially outshot 24-8 and Lenz was credited with 14 saves.
"We definitely have improved each game in different aspects," Watkins said. "The thing is, we just need to get a win to start things off for the next game. I think if we get a couple wins, we can string a bunch together and end up with a good record by the end of the season."
There's no rest for a weary Free State squad -- which has played a third of its 21-game schedule only 19 days into the season -- as it plays host to Shawnee Mission South on Thursday.
"It's a long haul," Pendleton said. "I knew when I took the job that we weren't going to be able to come out and win every game. My objective early was to get a disciplined team that would compete for 80 minutes. That objective, we've achieved.
"We've just got to finish. We've got to get to the point where we're coming out on the positive end."
-- Robert Sinclair's phone message number is 832-7185. His e-mail address is rsinclair@ljworld.com.
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