The glare on the scoreboard Monday at the Youth Sports Inc., fields made it difficult for fans to check how the Lawrence High girls soccer squad was doing during the first half of its match against Kansas City (Mo.) Pembroke Hill.

But come sundown, the Lions faithful welcomed the sight of the final score – a 6-1 victory.

Within the first five minutes of play, LHS (4-6-2) blinded the Raiders with its speed when freshman Megan Andrews hooked up Raya Bowden for the first of her two goals for the evening.

“We finally came out of our shell,” LHS coach Matt Anderson said. “When we started putting the short game in – the passing game in – it was a matter of helping the girls understand that they are good enough and help them trust their teammates and be able to play with the possession of the ball, not just playing kickball and getting rid of it downfield.”

No less than five minutes later Pembroke Hill squared up the score, but that would be the lone goal allowed by freshman goalkeeper Emma Lumpe.

“I believe we’ve given up 18 goals in our first 12 games – versus, I believe to be 52 last year at this same spot,” Anderson said. “So it’s been senior leadership back there with Maggie Barnes and Lindsey Lawrence. And then you throw in (sophomore) Kaela Severa and Heather Miller, who’s played outstanding as a freshman in only her third start back at right fullback.

“And then of course you’ve got Emma in goal, who stops definitely her share. We usually give up one early … but we responded tonight.”

Of course, the six-spot put up by the offense in front of her had Lumpe grinning with the knowledge that she could make a few mistakes without hurting the team.

“That was nice,” Lumpe said. “It gave me some reassurance, that even if I messed up it’s OK.”

In the 26th minute, Megan Johnson broke the tie after taking a shot from the side of the net that a Raider defender headed backward over the goalie’s arms – signifying that bounces were starting to go in the Lions’ favor.

“It’s something that I talk to my assistants all the time, that once we start getting those bounces the tide will turn,” Anderson said. “We have started to build that momentum in the last four games and we’ve had two wins and two ties.”

The most impressive goal of the night came in the final 40 minutes of play, courtesy of junior Abby Vestal. Vestal juked past, and shaked off, four defenders directly in front of the box before getting off the clear shot on goal.

The Lions will look to keep that momentum going today when they travel to Shawnee Mission East. They will return home to entertain No. 2 Olathe South squad Thursday.