The beleaguered Lawrence High soccer offense showed marked improvement but could not take advantage of its scoring opportunities, falling 1-0 to Topeka High at the YSI complex Thursday night.

“We had just as many chances as them,” senior William Nagengast said. “But they were able to put one away.”

LHS (3-6-1) attempted one less shot on goal than Topeka, who shot 15. A strong Topeka defense led by senior goalie Andrew Dale also deserves much of the credit. The Trojans (9-1) have surrendered just three goals since their opening-game loss.

“They have a great goalie,” LHS coach David Platt said.

The Lions’ defense also looked stout for much of the game. Senior goalie Colin Flanders saved at least 10 goals, but the team’s back line moved out of position with 29:36 left in the first half, and senior Blake Schwartz scored on an assist from sophomore Jordon Crawford.

“The defense played pretty well. They communicated pretty well,” Flanders said. “(We) had just one breakdown on that goal, and it cost us.”

After alternating between Flanders and David Liston on a game-to-game basis, Platt has used Flanders in goal since Sept. 12. Platt made the change because Liston has played effectively on offense and missed practices recently due to an illness. Liston, however, may return to goal at some point.

“It’s hard to know,” Platt said. “If I was a very good prognosticator, I’d be playing the stock market.”

LHS' Greg Payne, left, defends Topeka's Mason Leach.

Flashes on offense – demonstrated by good communication and team-oriented play instead of firing balls down the field – would intrigue a betting man.

“I can’t say we swallowed some magic pill that made us an offensive juggernaut because we still didn’t score,” Platt said. “But when we try to play a kickball game or break them down individually, we’re not going to be as successful. If we play our style of possession, we should be able to give some team fits.”

LHS' Ignacio Carvajal and Topeka High's Mason Leach battle for control. The Lions fell, 1-0, Thursday at YSI.

The LHS offense warmed up just as the weather turned cold. On a crisp autumn night with geese forming a V-pattern overhead, one could see the players’ breaths, but they did not mind the conditions.

“You don’t really notice it much when you’re on the field except that you don’t really get tired as fast,” Nagengast said. “You don’t need water as much.”

The Lions showed a thirst for aggressive play. On an inbounds play at the 10:27 mark in the first half, Nagengast decleated junior Phillip Moore. Trainers rushed on to the field as Moore lay on the ground, but Moore returned to action shortly thereafter.

“This was probably one of my better tackles.” Nagengast said.

LHS will play host to Olathe Northwest on Tuesday, and Platt said his squad showed the mettle to handle a strong Topeka team if they meet again in the playoffs.

“The kids played with heart,” he said.