The Emery High School soccer season came to a close Thursday evening as the team suffered a 1-0 loss to the Union Cougars in the opening round of the 3A State Tournament in Castle Dale.

Union’s Christopher Appawoo broke a scoreless tie in the first half, finding the back of the net for what would be the eventual game-winning goal.

Following the game’s only score the Cougars immediately set eight men defensively. The strategy paid off as Emery had difficulty getting through for an opportunity to tie the game.

Entering the state tournament as the No. 1 seed from Region 15, the Spartans had lost just one game in the last nine outings. The Cougars, the No. 6 seed from Region 14, had lost three of four to close out the regular season.

Thursday’s meeting was the second between the two schools this year. Emery won the first back on March 22 by a final score of 1-0 as the two played on a neutral field in St. George.

The loss ends a highly successful season for the Spartans. After finishing 7-2-1 in league play Emery claimed the Region 15 crown, snapping Manti’s streak of five consecutive division championships.

Stay tuned to Castle Country Radio for a complete season recap with head coach Troy Winter next week.