photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State sophomore Taylor Woods tries to escape Lawrence High junior Brecken Ostronic during the Class 6A regional play-in match on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

More than just bragging rights were on the line when the Free State and Lawrence High girls soccer teams met again on Monday night for the Class 6A regional play-in match. Free State, rolling past LHS 2-0 in vengeful fashion, punched its ticket to play No. 1-seeded Garden City in the regional semifinal on Tuesday.

Falling to LHS 2-1 earlier this month, the Lady Firebirds reconciled that lost by ending the Lady Lions’ season at 1-15-0 in front of a home crowd.

Free State coach Joe Waldron knew the rematch was going to be a thrill.

“It’s a fun game, man,” Waldron said. “(LHS coach Joe Comparato) and I were talking about it, we thought both teams had a chance to go down to Garden City, whether it was us or Lawrence, and surprise some people. We get a chance to do it.”

LHS found two open shots within the first 10 minutes, but opportunities to strike the net were slim throughout the remainder of the first period. The Lady Lions’ senior keeper Cree Stewart was busy, racking up five saves by halftime.

Free State (2-15-0), taking eight shots on goal during the first period, nearly had the first word on a wide open shot by freshman midfielder Sophia Christie near the 16-minute mark. Still scoreless down into single-digit minutes, Free State junior Elaina Zung capitalized on an assist by junior midfielder Kate Foust to score the first goal with nine minutes left in the first period.

Mere moments after the score, a penalty kick by LHS junior forward Maison Flory, a golden opportunity to tie the match, sailed just past the right post.

Pressuring the box hard in the final seconds of the first period, Free State sophomore midfielder Neylana Haque crossed the ball over to junior forward Taylor Woods for a last-second shot, sending the Lady Firebirds up 2-0 at the break.

“That second goal was really important,” Waldron said. “(Stewart) is a wonderful goalkeeper and we got a chance to see her play in the first game.”

Free State kept testing LHS well into the second period, but the Lady Lions didn’t seem to flinch. Eight minutes back on the pitch, Stewart dove to thwart a near-goal by Free State senior midfielder Maddie Powell.

On their toes with just over 20 minutes remaining, LHS was still searching for its first score of the night after another penalty kick by Flory failed to reach her teammate and flew into the hands of Free State sophomore keeper Merrit Hale.

Another shot opened up for LHS with 11 minutes to go when sophomore forward Elise Rathmel found teammate Giova Rubenstein upfield with plenty of green. Standing tall, Hale charged toward the ball and secured it before Rubenstein took a strike.

Free State’s defense gave up one last scoring try to LHS — a penalty kick — with six minutes left in the match. LHS called on freshman Stella Comparato to take the kick, which sailed just over the crossbar.

Watching his group claw to the end, LHS coach Joe Comparato said the crosstown rivalry’s going to brew up some exciting matches next season.

“I told the girls in the locker room, aside from (Stewart), we have the whole team coming back next year and I don’t think I’ve ever had that,” Comparato said. “We’re going to be a super strong team. We’ve got a good freshman class coming in and I look for us to be another step more competitive next year.”

As for Free State, they’ll get a shot at a hot Garden City program (11-2-1) that’s won six consecutive matches heading into Tuesday’s regional semifinal. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Kate Foust makes a play for the ball against Lawrence High junior Megan Derby during the Class 6A regional play-in match on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High senior goalkeeper Cree Stewart gets up after making a save against Free State during the Class 6A regional play-in match on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State junior Taylor Woods looks to turn the ball away from Lawrence High junior Megan Derby during the Class 6A regional play-in match on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

The Lawrence High girls soccer team gathers before the Class 6A regional play-in match versus Free State on Monday, May 15, 2023 at Lawrence High School.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High coach Joe Comparato and Free State coach Joe Waldron share thoughts after Free State defeated LHS 2-0 in the Class 6A girls soccer regional play-in match on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Lawrence High School.