Overland Park ? Free State freshman Emma Yackley scored in the ninth minute, and that’s all the Firebirds needed to edge Shawnee Mission North, 1-0, Thursday at SM North.

Yackley fired a shot from just beyond the left corner of the 18-yard box that went over the outstretched arms of SM North goalkeeper Amy Epp.

Free State coach Kelly Barah said that the goal from the freshman midfielder was an encouraging sign, but it did not give the Firebirds that boost that he expected for the rest of the match.

“We have to go back to our technical ability and try to clean some things in that area, and maybe that translates into our tactical game,” Barah said.

Free State (2-3-1) will play next at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Leavenworth.