The Effingham soccer team didn’t win the championship, but it might have served notice it will be a tough team to beat this fall season.

The Hearts dropped a 3-2 decision to Charleston Saturday to finish in second place at the Charleston Red & Golf Tournament.

Hugo Carillo and Oswaldo Angel scored goals for EHS and goalie Brandon Duncan had 11 saves.

“The game was intense,” said EHS coach Weston Peno. “The pace of the game was, for lack of better words, better than anyone expected. Both teams kept their nose to the grindstone and held each other at bay. Our level of play shows just how far our program has come. Today was a testament to that. Though we lost, I am very proud of our team and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

Effingham will play Tuesday at St. Anthony.