After three straight competitive outings to open the season from his Lawrence High girls soccer team, coach Justin Young didn’t think a 5-0 home loss to Olathe Northwest Tuesday night indicated a turn in the wrong direction.

The Lions (2-2) held the Ravens scoreless most of the opening half, before ONW freshman Jaiden Chase busted the stalemate in the 32nd minute and junior Tatum Heller added to the visitors’ lead before halftime.

Young said the Lions surrendered control to ONW when they began struggling with a new formation they are trying to use.

“We weren’t reading their movement very well,” the Lawrence coach said, “and we weren’t covering for each other extremely well, and our communication broke down.”

Once the Ravens had the Lions figured out, they added goals from junior Emily Kemp, sophomore Sophia LaTorella and Chase in the second half, before nearby lightning ended the match in the 73rd minute.

LHS showed at times in defeat it could play as a supportive unit, and Young has seen positives from a number of his players early this spring. He said senior Keeli Billings makes good decisions, senior Sadie Keller had adapted well while playing different positions, sophomore Skylar Drum has proven solid, new goalkeeper junior Katie Murrish is doing well while learning and freshmen Maria Duncan and Mikayla Downs are “making some noise” at the top of the LHS attack.

Fatigue and frustration led to a five-goal difference, Young added, and the Lions just need to settle in.

“I think we’re gonna surprise some people,” the coach predicted.