The Emery Lady Spartans suffered a heartbreaking 3-1 loss to the Richfield Wildcats in a highly important Region 12 showdown Tuesday afternoon in Richfield.

Entering the game with identical records and tied at the top of the division standings, the Wildcats gained control of the region with the victory. The loss for Emery places them in a second place tie with the Carbon Dinos.

Tied 1-1 at the end of the first half, the Wildcats scored the only two goals of the second stanza to secure the win. The two teams split the season series with Emery protecting home field earlier this month.

Alexis Winter scored the only goal of the game for Emery as her impressive campaign continued. Kate Robinson, Megan Ross and Melissa Crane each scored once for Richfield.

Now 7-2 in division play, Emery will return home on Thursday to complete the regular season against Carbon. The winner will have an opportunity to win a share of the Region 12 championship if Richfield is upset by South Sevier.

Start time for the regular season finale is scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m..