The Emporia High girls soccer team lost to Blue Valley West on Tuesday night, 4-1.
Blue Valley West led at halftime, 2-0, thanks in part to a goal off a corner kick just before the halftime buzzer.
But EHS drew to within one when Jessica Decker scored from about 30 yards out with a direct free kick into the net over the keeper, making it 2-1.
It was the first goal Emporia had ever scored on West.
Emporia had a number of close calls after that, but none could find the net, and West tacked on a pair of goals to pull away.
“We played a more inspired second half again, especially after we scored,” EHS coach John Decker said. “After we closed the gap to a one-point game, we had a number of near misses, including one that scraped the crossbar, but didn’t quite go in.
“Even though it fired us up, it fired the other team up too, and they responded with two more goals to seal the deal.”
West out-shot Emporia, 24-6, including a 14-2 edge in shots on goal.
Emporia is at home for two games later this week, as the Lady Spartans play host to Junction City on Thursday and face a rematch with Wichita East on Friday.
Blue Valley West 4, Emporia 1
Tuesday at Blue Valley West
Shots on goal — EHS: 2, BVW 14. Total shots — EHS 6, BVW 24. Total fouls — EHS 9, BVW 11. Corner kicks — EHS 3, BVW 8.
EHS tennis gets pair of top-10 finishes
The Emporia High boys tennis team got a pair of top-10 finishes on Tuesday at the Arkansas City Invitational, as Chris Reimer placed seventh at No. 1 singles while the No. 1 doubles pair of Mark DeDonder and Sergio Segura finished in ninth place.
Emporia as a team placed fifth.
At the No. 2 doubles spot, Nathan Ferree and David Nasrazadani came in 13th. Chase Miller placed 15th at the No. 2 singles spot.
Emporia High is back in action on Thursday at the Newton Invitational.