Free State High senior Sam Buhler knows what to expect from the Lawrence High-Free State boys soccer showdown at 4 p.m. today.

He’s been through it before.

“We’re expecting their best game of the season,” Buhler said. “We always get it.”

The first city showdown of the 2004-05 school year takes place today at Free State. A tape-delayed telecast can be seen at 10:30 p.m. on Sunflower Broadband Channel 6.

Both Lawrence (1-1) and Free State (1-0) are entering the match with optimism. Lawrence won its opener last week, 4-3, over Manhattan after erasing a three-goal, second-half deficit to provide one of the most dramatic victories in LHS soccer history. The Lions lost to Shawnee Heights, 2-1, the next night after taking an early lead.

The most encouraging facet of Lawrence’s start is the five goals scored in two games. Last year, Lawrence struggled finding a finisher; this year, four different Lions already have scored goals, including two by Daniel Miranda and one each by Michael Valverde, Ignacio Carvajal and Spencer Sorenson.

“It’s exciting,” LHS coach David Platt said. “There could be lots of reasons for it — unselfish play or breakdowns on the opposing team’s defense. As the season goes on, we’ll find out which one it is.”

Free State, meanwhile, showed that depth is a strength of this year’s team, beating Wichita Carroll, 3-1, Saturday at Free State. The Firebirds looked strong all over the field, and, like Lawrence’s season-opener, benefited from late goals — by Buhler and Alex Clayton — to pull away.

Still, the effort wasn’t perfect, and FSHS coach Jason Pendleton was glad a tough team like Carroll opened Free State’s schedule.

“You want your first game to be a challenge,” Pendleton said. “They made us aware that we can’t get away with certain things, and that’s good.”

Today’s game will be the ninth meeting between the two schools, with Lawrence holding a 4-2-2 advantage. Last year’s showdown might have been the most draining of them all — after 100 minutes, the two teams finished with a 0-0 tie in an inspiring defensive effort.

Free State ended up having the better year overall, further proof that any advantage on paper means little in this city showdown.

“Lawrence will certainly put forth a Herculean effort,” Pendleton said. “They’re playing well right now. But we’re excited.”