After a hot streak put the Chieftains at 7-4-1, three straight losses have put Tonganoxie back at .500.

Tonganoxie lost 1-0 heartbreakers to both Mill Valley and De Soto last week. The De Soto loss was even harder to take, considering the Wildcats scored in the last five minutes of the game on a penalty kick.

Then on Monday in Prairie Village, Kansas City Christian dropped the Chieftains, 4-1, thanks to three goals in the first half.

“They dominated us pretty well,” said THS coach Luke Denney.

In the second half, the Chieftains did have many chances, but just couldn’t rally for the win.

“If we play with more intensity and effort, it’s a better game than 4-1,” Denney said. “For some reason, the kids couldn’t get into it.”

KCC has dominated Tonganoxie in the past, but coming off two close shutout losses probably didn’t help.

“We’re so close, we played hard, but those were really two tough losses,” Denney said. “I think that wore them down mentally.”

Tonganoxie will play Ottawa on Thursday at Chieftain Park in the regular-season finale.

“They’re a pretty good team, too,” Denney said.

Regionals begin next week for THS.