Free State's Will Laufer (18) leaps over a sliding tackle attempt by DeSoto's Travis Hodge during their soccer match Monday night at FSHS.

At this stage of the season, Free State High boys soccer players are more advanced in their offensive attacks than defending.

That’s the result of a large number of returning forwards from last year, who have the speed and smarts to find ways to score.

The Firebirds used their strengths to their advantage against De Soto on Monday, controlling possessions and tempo in a 3-0 victory at FSHS. They outshot the Wildcats, 19-11, and were even a little disappointed they weren’t more crisp with their attacks.

“Our offense, the whole preseason, has been a step ahead of our defense,” senior midfielder Will Laufer said. “You see it today. We couldn’t connect the passes but sometimes we’re a little lackadaisical on the defensive end.”

In the 22nd minute, FSHS senior forward Eduardo Carballido Flores drew a foul in the 18-yard box, setting up Laufer for a penalty kick. Laufer, a Central Arkansas commit, drilled the shot inside of the right post for the first score.

“It just clicked with the boys,” FSHS coach Kelly Barah said of the offense. “Either the runs we’re supposed to be making and in the box now, they just have a different mentality. We’re not just shooting or anything like that, we’re trying to actually finish. That has really changed our offense.”

Less than eight minutes into the second half, junior midfielder Heitor Nazareth passed the ball to junior forward Brandon Patterson, who ran past his defender, and Patterson only needed one touch to control the ball and fire it into the back of the net for a 2-0 advantage.

“It was natural,” Patterson said. “I just did what I needed to do.”

It was the third goal of the season for Patterson, who is tied for the team lead with Laufer. Despite playing without a ton of varsity experience, Patterson hasn’t needed much time to adjust.

“After a few good practices, you kind of get into the mindset, ‘OK, I can do well here,'” Patterson said. “After you get the first goal or two, you really know that.”

Carballido Flores added the final goal in the 59th minute when he fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box and snuck it past the keeper in the lower-left corner of the net. He celebrated by taking his shirt off and waving it while running around, earning a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Defensively, the Firebirds (2-0) limited quality chances for the Wildcats (3-2), with Garrett Hodge, Charlie Newsome, Rowan Laufer and Jordan Patrick on the back line. De Soto’s best opportunity came in the final minutes of the first half when Lucas Zoller drilled a shot in the box, but FSHS goalkeeper Jonathan Lesslie knocked it away with a diving save, preserving his eventual shutout.

“We just need to be more compact defensively and stick our tackles harder,” Laufer said.

Barah added of the defensive effort: “So much better today than we did the other night. We just hope they keep improving in that fashion.”

The Firebirds will play Shawnee Mission Northwest at 6:30 tonight at FSHS.