So what if Shawnee Mission East’s soccer record was just 3-4. So what if Free State High’s record was a glossy 4-0-2.

“Records are deceiving,” FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said after SM East scored four minutes into overtime to edge the Firebirds, 1-0, Thursday afternoon at Free State.

“By far, they’re the best team we’ve played,” Pendleton continued. “We recognize we’ve played some of the weaker teams in the league, and East has played teams like (Topeka) Washburn Rural, the defending state champion.”

Free State had its chances in the first half. Three times Joel Angelone, the Firebirds’ leading scorer, had good looks at the goal mouth, but two of his kicks missed and one hit a post.

“If we score early, it’s a different game,” Pendleton said. “We had opportunities.”

In the second 40 minutes, SM East became the attacker. Ten times Lancer players had shots on goal — some were wide, some were high and some were stopped by Free State goalie Aaron Williams. Meanwhile, the Firebirds took only three potential scoring kicks during the second half.

The Lancers were the clear aggressors late, and four minutes into overtime SM East overwhelmed the Firebirds inside the box, and senior Jordan Martin finally kicked a 10-footer past the sprawling Williams. Game over.

“In the overtime, we panicked,” Pendleton said. “We made defensive mistakes, and they made us pay. On offense, we were too static. We weren’t putting any pressure on their defense.”

Free State High's Aaron Ideus, front, takes a pass as Shawnee Mission East's J.D. Christie, middle, defends. Free State's Drew Becker is at left. The Firebirds lost in overtime, 1-0, Thursday at Free State.

Angelone made a futile shot on goal in the 82nd minute, then SM East stormed to the other end and won it with that withering fusillade in the goal box.

“We had a lack of composure,” senior Brian Ozorkiewicz said. “We played hard, but not smart.”

In retrospect, Pendleton was disappointed by the execution but not the performance of his players.

“The good news is I think the things they did were because of our mistakes,” he said, “and not that they were physically better than we were.”

Nevertheless, the Firebirds learned a lesson.

“They were a good team,” Ozorkiewicz said. “If their record was 3-4, then we’ll have to step up for the rest of the season.”

The Firebirds (4-1-2) will step out of Sunflower League play in their next two outings — Saturday at Junction City and Thursday at home against Shawnee Heights.