It had only been a few seconds, but Lawrence High’s Stef Stuever already was impatient with her place next to the flag at midfield.

“I feel constant energy when I’m on the field,” Stuever said. “I hate being on the side and watching because I feel like I can’t do anything.”

The freshman would make her mark soon enough.

Just one minute after re-entering the game, the midfielder sent in the Lions’ only goal of the night in a 1-1 tie with Leavenworth on Thursday night.

With LHS trailing, Stuever made her impact by creating offense. Bringing the ball up the right side, the freshman was happy to take what Leavenworth defense gave her.

“When I was dribbling up, I saw their players just kept going back,” Stuever said. “I love when they do that because then I know I have more and more space to go.”

Stuever took all the space available, then lofted a shot that just cleared the fingertips of keeper Courtney Horchard for a 69th-minute goal.

Fellow freshman Emma Lumpe preserved the tie with an individual effort in the final minute of the second overtime.

Leavenworth’s Chelsea Lira broke with a free path to the goal, with Lumpe standing as the only obstacle.

“I was so nervous,” Lumpe said. “I thought, ‘Just please don’t shoot it over my head.'”

Lira never would get the chance.

Without hesitation, the LHS keeper charged ahead and deflected the ball, taking down both Lira and the Pioneers’ final scoring opportunity.

“That’s what you have to do when you’re goalie … no fear,” Lumpe said. “You’ve got to give your body up for the game.”

After challenging his team at halftime, LHS coach Matt Anderson came away pleased with the draw, especially considering the performances of ninth graders Stuever and Lumpe.

Anderson said Stuever – whom he says has more moves than a U-Haul – had started to lead the team even at a young age.

“I gave her the responsibility of center mid, and I told her that leadership comes out of that – I don’t care if you’re a freshman,” Anderson said. “I told the other girls, if she sees something, go with it.”

Meanwhile, Anderson had never seen Lumpe play before this season but had definitely heard the buzz.

“The thing that made me stop was when the seniors were talking about how good she is,” Anderson said. “That (last) save is just indicative of the level she can get to.”

Thanks in part to Lumpe, LHS is allowing just 1.6 goals per game. That compares favorably to the 4.65 goals last year’s squad allowed at this time.

LHS will play host Monday to K.C. (Mo.) Pembroke Hill.