Free State High's boys soccer season came to light Tuesday night.
Playing for the first time under the new Youth Sports Inc. lights, the Firebirds scored three unanswered goals to upend Shawnee Mission West, 3-1, for their first victory of the season and fourth in the program's three-year history.
"We totally fought for 80 minutes and showed heart," said FSHS coach Jason Pendleton, whose team is now 1-8. "That's been our character all year. Even though we haven't been winning, we've still played hard and with heart."
Down 1-0, Firebird senior midfielder Paul Epp boomed a 30-yard shot into the goal to even the score in the 26th minute.
The 1-1 score held until FSHS senior midfielder Pat Watkins punched in the go-ahead goal in 58th minute off an assist by Todd Wilkins following Colin Baumchen's through ball.
"This whole season could have gone either way and we finally got one," Watkins said. "We all knew we were a better team. We just hoped we would come out on top."
Free State secured the victory with Wilkins' insurance goal in the 76th minute.
"I'm extremely pleased that we had a 2-1 lead and instead of laying back and trying not to lose, we continued forward and got another goal," Pendleton said.
With the victory, the Firebirds avenged an earlier loss to the Vikings. SM West beat Free State, 3-2, on Sept. 4 at the Blue Valley North soccer tournament in a game stopped with two minutes left because of lightning.
"We expected to win after playing them earlier in the year," Pendleton said.
Free State was issued four yellow cards and one red card. SM West received three yellow cards.
Junior Jesse Ens received the red card and will have to sit out Thursday's intracity showdown between the Firebirds and Lawrence High. The game is set for 7 p.m. at YSI.
In the FSHS-SM West junior varsity contest, the Firebirds (1-3-2) played to a 1-1 tie. Free State's Joel Beard scored following an assist from Jamie Johnson.
-- Steve Rottinghaus' phone message number is 832-7152. His e-mail address is srottinghaus@ljworld.com
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