Just one day after an emotionally draining win over its crosstown rival, the Free State boys soccer team had the task of facing one of the top teams in Kansas, No. 2-ranked Shawnee Mission East.

In addition to being one of the top teams in Kansas, Shawnee Mission East puts an emphasis on possessing the ball. Normally, Free State is the team frustrating its opponents with a relentless and precise attack, but it was the opposite in its 4-0 loss Tuesday night at home.

“They like to possess the ball a lot and that’s the style we play,” FSHS junior defender Ethan Irons said. “I find it hard to play a team that plays the same style as we do.”

SM East’s strategy took a toll on Free State (7-5-1). The Firebirds struggled to gain possession in the first half, and when they did, they didn’t pose much of a threat on offense.

Free State goalie Jonathan Lesslie made three saves and Irons made a play to save a goal to keep the game scoreless. But give a team like SM East chances and a 0-0 tie won’t last long.

And it didn’t.

In the 14th minute, SM East (11-0-1) forward Tommy Nelson put a shot over Lesslie’s head from outside the box to give East a 1-0 lead. Then in the 38th minute, East senior midfielder Oliver Bihuniak scored from a similar distance to put Free State in a 2-0 hole.

“I think it’s always tough to defend a team so athletic like Shawnee Mission East,” Irons said. “It’s hard tracking guys who run from deep like we do.”

During that stretch, the Firebirds were unable to get any shots on goal.

“We had to commit so many more of our attackers into the defensive end to try to win the ball,” FSHS coach Kelly Barah said. “So when transitioned (to offense) it was hard to get numbers on the attack.”

However, midway through the second half, the Firebirds found some momentum on offense. Free State had three corner kicks and two shots on goal. Also, Free State senior forward Heitor Nazareth and senior midfielder Branden Patterson crossed the ball into the SM East box three times.

But the Firebirds weren’t able to turn any of those opportunities into a goal.

“From what we saw on the field, we created some chances,” Barah said. “We gave them a good challenge but it seemed like our forwards ran out of gas a little bit in the end.”

As a result, East scored two goals in the 72nd minute against a tired Free State defense, which Barah called “back-breaking.”

Despite the final score, Barah was pleased with the way the Firebirds competed and stayed true to their identity.

“It’s easy to give up on who you are and try to play a little more direct,” Barah said. “Our boys didn’t do that.”

Free State will travel to Olathe South at 7 p.m. Thursday.