The Jefferson City Lady Jays had one last chance.
Trailing 2-1 with :11 remaining in Thursday night's Class 4 District 9 Tournament championship game against the Rock Bridge Bruins, the Lady Jays set up for a free kick from about 25 yards out.
Every Lady Jay was positioned somewhere in front of the Bruin net, including goalkeeper Megan Duffield.
"We were doing anything we could to find an equalizer," Jefferson City coach Tom Guinn said. "We had played so hard and so well, we couldn't let it end without giving it our very best shot."
Unfortunately for the Lady Jays, the Bruins were able to turn away the kick before it reached the net as Rock Bridge held on for the one-goal win to claim the district title at the 179 Soccer Park.
"We gave a lot of trouble to a very good team," Guinn said. "When it comes to effort, I think it was the best we've had this season."
Rock Bridge got on top early when Allison Floyd banged in a free kick into the upper part of the net after a Jefferson City foul with 25:17 on the clock.
"We kept fouling in bad spots and giving them chances because of it," Guinn said. "We've had a hard time with set pieces at times this season and that was another one of those times.
"They took advantage of that opportunity. She put it in a good spot and it went in."
Jefferson City tied it with three minutes remaining in the half when Daelynn Scheulen took a pass from Tessa Sigmund at the right side of the Rock Bridge net and knocked it in.
The goal capped a very good freshman season for Scheulen, who led Jefferson City in scoring.
"She has a bright, bright future," Guinn said.
Rock Bridge grabbed the momentum back early in the second half when Payton McCallister scored to make it 2-1.
"They've got so many weapons, we did a very good job against them defensively," Guinn said. "They just took advantage of a couple of chances and that was the difference."
Jefferson City had a couple of good chances to score in the final 10 minutes on free kicks by Greta Haarmann. Haarmann put both of the kicks in dangerous positions, but Rock Bridge goalie Eryn Puett made the saves.
"Greta kept them on frame, she gave us a chance," Guinn said. "The keeper just gobbled them up."
Jefferson City ends its season at 10-16.
"I am so proud of the girls for battling back," Guinn said. "Our girls battled the entire 80 minutes and I couldn't be more proud of them."
Rock Bridge (16-4-1) will play Tuesday in the sectionals at Kickapoo (15-8-1), which beat Ozark 2-1 in PKs for the District 10 crown Thursday night.