FSHS soccer drops opener, 2-0, at home

After controlling the pace of play for much of the first half, the inexperience of the Free State High girls soccer team showed up in the second, and the Firebirds fell to Shawnee Heights, 2-0, in their season opener Tuesday at FSHS.

“There were some positives today,” FSHS coach Jason Pendleton said. “We threw a lot of young kids out there, sometimes six freshmen at a time, and for the most part they held their own.”

SH senior Trista Schuetz started the scoring in the second half when she sent a ball into the net from 35 yards out.

Ten minutes later, Heights tacked on another goal when Alaina Hudson volleyed a bouncing ball past FSHS goalkeeper Fanny Peterson.

Despite being down two, Free State had its chances late in the game. Senior Leah Williams was the catalyst for most of those opportunities, but the Firebirds’ best scoring chance came at the 1:18 mark when Grace Lang played a lob into the box and onto the feet of Rachael Hodison, whose shot at the Heights net sailed high.

The loss dropped Free State to 0-1 on the season. Next up, the Firebirds will face Shawnee Mission West at 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the road.