Free State soccer falls in regional final

Goalkeeper Tyler Bryant (left) tries for the ball as Free State played Olathe East at CBAC in Kansas regional soccer.

Free State High boys soccer players entered the regional championship on Thursday mentally prepared to upset top-ranked Olathe East. They just couldn’t execute their plans.

The Firebirds dug themselves into an early deficit and couldn’t climb out in a 4-0 loss at the CBAC in Olathe.

After a few strong saves from Free State senior goalkeeper Tyler Bryant, the Hawks (16-1) punched through in the 18th minute on a goal from sophomore Shane Kopplin, who had the ball deflected to him and he ripped a shot to the upper left corner of the net.

Four minutes later, O-East’s Blake Marsee scored on a header off of a free kick from Chris Lyon. The Hawks added another goal with under five minutes left in the first half when Logan Steen dribbled through defenders in the 18-yard box and drilled a shot into the back of the net.

“We gave up some goals that were uncharacteristic, and trying to play a good team like this is already hard on its own,” FSHS coach Kelly Barah said.

The Hawks created a lot of opportunities, using their height and speed to their advantages. They finished with 22 shots, including 11 on net, and with 11 corner kicks.

“They were quick,” senior Randall Schmidt said. “They were able to play the ball over the top of us and get around us.”

Free State’s offense relied on quick counter attacks, with strong chances from senior Carson Gilliland, senior Daniel Clarke, junior Ernesto Hodison and junior Eduardo Carballido.

However, O-East defenders were able to deflect a few shots, and timed up a few runs to catch the Firebirds offside.

In the second half, the Hawks added a goal in the 53rd minute when Mark VanLandingham knocked in a ball that bounced around in the box off a corner kick.

“Defensively we just got caught spread out too much,” senior Daulton Sharp said. “They didn’t do anything special. They didn’t do anything we hadn’t seen before. I wouldn’t say they were necessarily tougher today, we just didn’t execute.”

Free State finished the season with an 9-8-1 record.