photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence High's Cain Scott shoots in a goal on a penalty kick with two seconds remaining in the first half of the Lions' soccer game against Topeka High School, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at LHS.

It’s no surprise to Lawrence High’s boys soccer players when senior Cole Brungardt rips a shot into the back of the net from long distance. He does it all of the time in practices.

Midway through the second half against Topeka High, Brungardt had the opportunity to show off to everybody else. Brungardt drilled a 25-yard missile past a diving goalkeeper in the 57th minute in a 2-1 victory at LHS, his first varsity goal.

Brungardt raised both of his arms in celebration and was mobbed by his teammates as he ran back to midfield.

Lawrence junior midfielder Curtis Wesley set up Brungardt’s strike by dribbling the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, then faking a pass and a shot to buy space for Brungardt. After multiple defenders converged on Wesley, he slipped a pass backward to Brungardt, who didn’t hesitate to fire away.

“I just saw a big hole in the far post and as soon as he passed it, I just went at it,” said Brungardt, who is also the kicker for the LHS football team. “Fortunately it went in.”

photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence High's Hosam Aldamen (9) heads the ball with Topeka High defender Noah Burkett (5) on his back during the first half of their game, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at LHS.

The Lions (2-0) were without senior midfielder Ebrahim Diagne, who sat out because of a pulled groin. LHS coach Mike Murphy said Diagne, last year’s leading scorer, could miss next week’s game as the team avoids rushing him back until he’s 100 percent healthy.

Without Diagne, the Lions controlled the tempo with 13 shots on goal. Senior Cain Scott, sophomore Cole Shupert and junior Quentin Harrington all had strong shots inside of the 18-yard box that were stopped by Topeka’s goalkeeper.

“It’s OK because this team is loaded,” Brungardt said. “We have tons of attackers and guys who can score goals. I mean, we’ve had three guys score this year and not one of them is named Ebra. The other Cole, Curtis, they’ve all had close chances. The firepower is there, so it’s exciting.”

It was an attack without a shot that led to the first LHS goal.

photo by: Mike Yoder

Lawrence High's Ben Matthews (19) pursues the ball and gets tripped up by Topeka defender Quinton Lobb (20) with only a few seconds remaining in the first half of their game, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016, at LHS.

Trying to make a play in the closing seconds of the first half, Lawrence junior Ben Matthews was dribbling the ball inside of the 18-yard box when he drew a foul and penalty kick with two seconds remaining. Senior Cain Scott stepped up for the penalty kick, and buried his shot in the lower right corner for a 1-0 lead.

“It’s really a nice gift at the end of the first half to get that,” Murphy said.

Defensively, the Lions limited Topeka to only six shots on goal with a strong back line — seniors Quinton Hamm, Cameron Guy, Charlie Carr, DJ Davis and Parker King — that won most one-on-one matchups.

“I’ll tell you what, DJ and Charlie are playing at top form right now, which is great,” Murphy said.

The Trojans (0-1) added a goal with 10:32 left when junior Guillermo Gutierrez lofted a shot past LHS senior goalkeeper Apramay Mishra.

Lawrence will travel to Washburn Rural on Sept. 8.