Lawrence High soccer coach Jason Clark knows his team is close — even if the scoreboard doesn’t always say so.

That’s why Clark didn’t fret after his team’s 4-0 loss to Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday night at the Youth Sports Inc. fields. The Lions played too well for that.

“When you get a score like that, it doesn’t reflect the way we played,” Clark said. “We’ve just run into some good teams.”

Lawrence was solid on defense early, entering halftime with a scoreless tie. In the second half, though, the Lions appeared to run out of gas. They were playing for a second consecutive day.

Taylon Johnson connected on a goal just over the outstretched hand of Lawrence keeper Carly Sakumura in the 54th minute, and 45 seconds later Emily Anderson found the corner of the net from the right side.

“I think that whoever scores first, it always seems like they get the momentum,” LHS defender Lacey Elmore said. “We just couldn’t seem to put one in.”

The Lions had their share of opportunities to take the lead in the first half.

Forward Megan Johnson launched a shot from outside the box in the 16th minute, only to have it punched over the goal at the last instant. Four minutes later, Abby Vestal’s shot from the side was snatched up.

Meanwhile, the Lion defense executed its game plan. Defenders Elmore, Kathleen Hermesch, and Lindsey Lawrence were solid, clearing away scoring chances, and Sakumura stood her ground in goal.

Lawrence High's Carly Sakumura, left, dives to block a shot by Shawnee Mission East's Emily Holst. The Lions' 5-foot goalkeeper made multiple diving saves, but LHS lost, 4-0, Tuesday at the Youth Sports Inc. fields.

The junior remained aggressive despite her 5-foot stature, diving on many of her 11 saves.

“A couple of the goals were just a little too high for me. I kind of have a height problem,” Sakumura said with a laugh. “I did OK on coming out. I was just trying to make up for my height by being more aggressive.”

The Lancers added two goals in the final 11 minutes — both over the head of Sakumura — to round out their scoring. Still, Clark was impressed.

“The girls battled hard until the end even after the fourth goal went in,” Clark said. “We were still competitive and still trying to play. We just didn’t quite have it.”

The game marked the final home appearance for senior Lacey Elmore. She received a hug and a single rose after the game from teammate Diane Alexander, the only other senior on the squad. Alexander could not compete because of a torn ACL she suffered early in the season.

Elmore, like her coach, said she was proud of her team’s effort despite the final result.

“I think it was closer than the score,” she said, “but then again, it always seems like it is.”