After winning the Eagle Invitational last weekend, the Lady Highlanders came up short hosting reigning state champions Frederica Academy on Wednesday. They suffered a 10-0 shutout.

"This team has a 15U national players and a 17U national player. They are state champions," Lady Highlander coach Tom Sukaratana said about Frederica.

In addition to facing a tough opponent, the coach said he was missing four players who were recovering from injuries or illness.

"I knew we were going to be hurting," he said. "We were lacking in defenders and played only nine players against the defending state champs."

With the injuries, the coach said he lacked the depth necessary to rotate players and keep energy on the field.

While the varsity squad suffered the loss, the junior varsity Highlanders earned a 4-0 shut-out over Frederica’s JV.

"That is my new generation of players," Sukaratana said. "Just wait until next year. Hopefully a new season in our new field….. We will be ready and it will be great."

The new field, adjacent to the St. James Sports Center, is scheduled to be completed for the Highlander boys soccer season this summer.