Lawrence High soccer coach Joe Nemzer has never questioned his team’s talent and potential.

But after a 9-0 loss to Olathe East at home on Tuesday, Nemzer began to question just about everything else.

“I think the score says it all,” Nemzer said.

The Hawks poured in goals early, taking a 5-0 lead after the first 20 minutes.

LHS sophomore Elizabeth Burney, who impressed Nemzer with her effort on Tuesday, said she thought the large deficit could be a learning experience for the Lions.

“There are mistakes that you can make that you know they’re mistakes, and there are things that we kind of need to work on as a team,” Burney said.

She also said the loss could motivate the team during this next week of practices.

“We know what we need to do to turn it around,” Burney said. “It’s just execution.”

Lately, the Lions (2-8) have been playing with a defensive mentality in the early part of the first half in an effort to stymie and wear down the opponent’s attack.

That’s a sharp contrast from Nemzer’s attack-oriented goals early in the year, when the Lions picked up their two victories.

“I think now we’re at the point where we have to go back to what’s been our success and live or die by it,” Nemzer said. “If it happens, cool. And if not, at least we go out with our boots on.”

With the Lions not playing until Monday against Shawnee Mission East, Nemzer and his coaching staff will have significant practice time to work out some of the kinks and improve on the basics.

“There’s no place to go but up,” Nemzer said.