LIBERAL—Early missed opportunities were too much for Great Bend as the Panthers dropped an 8-2 road decision to host Liberal Thursday to open Western Athletic Conference play.

The Redskins scored early following a series of Panther offensive misfires as Liberal freshman Mike Fonseca scored on a cross kick to give the Redskins a 1-0 lead. Liberal scored again midway through the first period and posted a 2-0 advantage.

Moments later, Great Bend’s Carlos Daniel Franco found the net cutting the Panther deficit, 2-1, heading to the break.

The Redskins went on a 2-0 run to start the second half leading 4-1. The Panthers’ Erick Martinez converted a kick on a pass from Brian Galindo and narrowed the gap by two trailing Liberal 4-2. It would be the final goal scored for the visiting Panthers as the Redskins went on a 4-0 attack down the stretch to claim the 8-2 WAC victory.

Great Bend drops to 0-2 on the season and opens conference play at 0-1.

The Panthers will compete at the Wichita South Titan Classic this week before returning to Cavanaugh Fields and WAC play on Monday, September 14 as Great Bend hosts the Hays Indians.