Unfortunately for the Tonganoxie High girls soccer team, someone on the other team scored the three goals

Eudora’s Jayla Erpelding scored a trio of goals on the night in the Class 4-1A regional semifinal match. Tonganoxie tried to claw back in the second half, but fell, 5-2. The Chieftains ended their season at 7-9-1, while the Cardinals improved to 10-7 and advanced to the regional finals.

EHS led, 4-0, at halftime, but Tonganoxie responded early in the second half.

Marissa Dick got THS on the scoreboard with a penalty kick in the Eudora District Stadium’s south goal about 5 1/2 minutes into the second half (34:29).

Erpelding scored her third and final goal about 10 minutes later and EHS was back up by four, 5-1.

Natalie Loving helped get the deficit back down to three goals with a successful shot 16:07 left in regulation (5-2).

Tonganoxie had a chance to cut into the Eudora lead further after getting a corner kick, but a handful of close-range shots and scrambles for the ball were unsuccessful for the visitors. Eudora, the No. 7 seed in the 4-1A East Bracket, will take on No. 2 Cair Paravel/Mission Valley (11-4-1) in the regional finals Thursday.

The postseason loss closed the book on what had become a breakthrough campaign for the girls soccer program in recent years.

The program is no stranger to success, as its 11 years removed from a state quarterfinals appearance. But the 2024 squad’s win total (7) was more than the last three seasons combined (5).

Translation: The future looks bright for THS girls soccer.