First half struggles led to an eventual loss as the Emery Spartans dropped a 3-1 decision to the Manti Templars Thursday afternoon in a Region 15 road contest.

Trailing 2-0 at the end of the first half, the Spartans managed only one second half goal. The loss marks the second consecutive for Emery, dropping the team’s record to 4-3-1 in league play.

Brock Winter continued to play outstanding soccer by scoring his ninth goal of the season. Winter has now scored seven goals in the past five games.

Thursday’s loss dips Emery to third place in the Region 15 standings as they now trail Manti by one game in the loss column. The Spartans are currently one win better than North Sanpete for third place.

Emery will now take a full week off before returning to the field on April 23 against the Grand Red Devils in the final home contest of the season. The team will then wrap up the regular season two days later against Richfield on the road.