photo by: Bobby Nightengale

Free State boys soccer players, including senior Owen Kapfer (#18), walk to midfield for the starting lineup introductions ahead of the City Showdown on Monday, Oct. 10, 2016 at Free State.

Monday’s City Showdown between Lawrence High and Free State boys soccer teams was less of a rivalry game and more of a display of support.

The two teams and crowd united behind Free State senior Owen Kapfer and the rest of his teammates, who were playing with a heavy heart. Kapfer’s mother, Amanda, died Saturday following a battle with cancer.

Fans from both schools wore yellow shirts in her honor. Players from both teams released yellow balloons in memory of Kapfer’s mother following a moment of silence. Students signed a large white poster that read #KapferStrong.

With Kapfer’s siblings in the crowd — his brother Oliver plays for Free State’s C-team — Kapfer started at midfielder and had the crowd chant his name on a few occasions.

“It makes me want to live in LK (Lawrence) for the rest of my life,” Kapfer said after his team’s eventual 1-0 victory, “because I had backing from LHS and Free State as well. That was beautiful.”

Afterward, Kapfer had hundreds of students line up to give him hugs and offer words of support. He said it was tough to show up for a half-day of school, the required amount to play in the game because of Kansas High School Activity Association rules.

Free State coach Kelly Barah said it was hard to put the night into words because “amazing doesn’t even cut it.”

“The community today showed us that you can have amazing people and a community can come together for the right reason — support kids and try to make them better people,” Barah said. “I’m so proud to say Lawrence is the place I live in and to watch it all unfold was absolutely beautiful.”

On the field, Free State senior midfielder Cooper Moreano scored the game-winning goal on a rebound with 13:55 remaining.

The sequence started with a free kick from sophomore Rowan Laufer into the 18-yard box. The ball bounced around and settled on Moreano’s foot, which he drilled into the back of the net.

“Me and Nick (Howard), we went up for it and collided with another guy,” Moreano said. “Both of them fell and I kind of stumbled. I just looked to find to find the ball and it’s rolling and it hits Nick in the head as he’s on the ground, and I just hit it in. I don’t know, kind of a wacky goal.”

Moreano raised his arms in the air and he sprinted over to a rock inscribed with “Ubuntu,” the team’s motto and an African philosophy that means “I am who I am because of who we are.” Kapfer was set to substitute back into the contest during Moreano’s goal and he was mobbed by his teammates.

“Of course my teammates run over and find me and they all pick me up and hug me,” Kapfer said. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The Firebirds (7-4-1) outshot LHS, 14-9, and controlled possession for most of the second half. Moreano said at halftime, “We realized what we were playing for.”

photo by: Bobby Nightengale

Lawrence High senior midfielder Ebrahim Diagne (10) tries to make a move around Free State sophomore Rowan Laufer (4).

In the first half, both teams traded quality opportunities. LHS senior goalkeeper Apramay Mishra made a couple of diving stops against Free State’s Howard and Heitor Nazareth.

For the Lions (5-6-1), senior midfielder Ebrahim Diagne danced around the top of the 18-yard box in the first half and fired a shot that was deflected off of the crossbar by Free State goalie Jonathan Lesslie.

LHS senior forward Cain Scott nearly drew a penalty kick at the end of the first half, falling down in the box in a race to the ball. But no call was made to the dismay of his teammates.

“We were trying to dribble through (defenders) a little too much,” LHS coach Mike Murphy said. “But at the same time, when those guys have got the ball on their foot and they’re thinking attack and score, it’s hard to fault them for wanting to do that.”

Afterward, Kapfer admitted it was hard to pull himself out of bed Monday morning, but he “definitely” felt the love from both schools.

His teammates said they just wanted to do their best to be there for him.

“A lot of them were really, really close as well to Mrs. Kapfer,” Barah said. “There are so many more people hurting. But it’s nice to see that they’ve bought into the fact that we can all do things together. Nobody travels alone and it’s beautiful to watch.”