Reality arrived as a sledgehammer for Free State High’s boys soccer team Tuesday afternoon.

Olathe Northwest shellacked the Firebirds, who had been unbeaten in their first two matches this season, by a 5-0 count at the FSHS field.

“This is the first good soccer team we’ve played,” Free State coach Jason Pendleton said, “and I don’t think we were prepared for their team speed and intensity.”

Free State survived several early salvos before cracking in the 19th minute when the Ravens’ Justin Ziegler headed a pass from Jonathan Herrera past goalkeeper Brian Hatesohl. A minute and a half later, Olathe Northwest struck again when Jaipal Singh drilled the ball into the left corner of the net.

“Both of those goals,” Pendleton said, “were tremendous plays. But their three goals in the second half were mistakes by us.”

Free State High's Greg Glatz, right, battles Olathe Northwest's A.J. Larson for a header. The Firebirds lost, 5-0, Tuesday at Free State.

Two of the Ravens’ second-half goals followed steals by Tyler Heldstab in the 61st minute and by JV player Kyle Schmidt with less than four minutes remaining. The fifth goal occurred in the 66th minute when Nate Michie launched a free kick from near midfield and teammate Tony Weber headed it over Hatesohl in the goal mouth.

“Brian knows he should have caught that,” Pendleton said. Olathe Northwest’s third goal – the one by Heldstab – came soon after the Firebirds had three or four cracks at scoring inside the Ravens’ box, but repeatedly were denied and ultimately frustrated by ONW defenders.

“After that third goal, reality set in that we weren’t going to come back,” Pendleton said.

Free State's Travis Everett, left, tries to drill a shot past Olathe Northwest goalie Weston White while the Ravens' Tyler Beaver looks on during Tuesday's match at Free State.

Pendleton cited solid performances by senior defender Aaron Ideus and sophomore midfielder Greg Glatz. In the end, though, Olathe Northwest, which opened just three years ago, defeated Free State in soccer for the first time.

“They’re a good team,” Pendleton said. “I don’t know if we’ll get to play them again, but I’d like to because I don’t think they’re five goals better than we are.”

Regardless, Free State (2-1) came to earth with a thud.

“We were exposed,” Pendleton said, “about what we need to do.”