Jason Pendleton felt like his message was falling on deaf ears.

The Free State High soccer coach begged, pleaded and challenged his players not to let Topeka High’s first goal get them down with 15 minutes remaining in the game.

“We pretty much almost conceded defeat, even though it was 1-1,” Pendleton said. “I don’t know if it was conscious. I think when you work so hard to keep people out from scoring, then you give up a goal, it can be a little bit demoralizing.”

The carryover effect became too much to overcome, causing a fatigued Free State team to lose its aggressiveness and fire in a 2-1 loss to Topeka High on Saturday at FSHS.

“It kind of downed our spirits,” Free State junior Amanda Vervynck said, “but it shouldn’t have, because we were still in the game.”

Ashley Ukena put in the game-winner in the 74th minute, stepping through a defender and launching a shot that sailed just over the fingertips of Free State keeper Megan Hrenchir.

The fading finish spoiled what was a solid start for Free State.

Though the Firebirds didn’t score in the first 40 minutes, they still showed improvements on defense to keep the talented duo of Ukena and Danielle Sicard scoreless.

“The first half was probably the best half of soccer that we’ve played so far this season,” Pendleton said. “It looks like we’re doing some of the things we’ve been working on in practice and talking about. There’s definitely some positives we can take from this.”

Free State continued that momentum in the second half, taking the lead in the 47th minute.

Charging up the right sideline with a defender on her hip, midfielder Sierra Best lofted a well-placed ball into the box.

Lucca Wang completed the play, punching the ball with her head to the back of the net for a 1-0 advantage.

“That’s what I’m always supposed to do – attack and look to cross,” Best said.

The Firebirds picked up confidence after a great effort by Hrenchir.

After dropping a ball in the box and grabbing the ankle of a Trojan to save a goal, the Free State goalkeeper faced Laura Salvatore in a 61st-minute penalty kick.

Though the shot was on line, Hrenchir used quick instincts to extend fully to her left, deflecting the shot wide of the goal.

Just four minutes later, Topeka High struck – and quickly. Ukena’s corner kick found a rushing Sicard, who redirected it in to make it 1-all.

“I think we realized maybe that it was going to be a lot tougher game at that point and our chances of winning might have diminished,” Pendleton said. “Unfortunately, that was our mentality. It shouldn’t be : we still were in the game.”

Ten minutes later, Ukena clinched it with her blast from the edge of the box.

Free State will travel Wednesday to Shawnee Mission North.