Emporia High soccer team battled through a tight matchup Thursday but came up just short in a 3-2 overtime loss at Wichita East.
The Lady Spartans struck early, taking the lead just three minutes into the match. Emersyn Johnson converted a penalty kick in the box to give Emporia a 1-0 advantage.
Wichita East answered late in the first half, finding the net with about three minutes remaining before the break to even the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.
In the second half, Wichita East took its first lead of the night, scoring with 27 minutes left to go to make it 2-1.
The Black and Red responded with determination. With 17 minutes remaining, Viveca Fuller delivered the equalizer, tying the match at 2-2 and sending it down the stretch deadlocked.
Neither team broke through in regulation, pushing the contest into overtime. There, Wichita East managed to score the decisive goal.
Emporia falls to 8-4 and will host Washburn Rural on Tuesday.
