With 15 minutes left in the City Showdown, the Lawrence girls soccer team needed two goals quickly to beat Free State.

Lawrence coach Joe Comparato said the Lions “showed their tenacity” and continued to press toward the goal with their speed. The game-tying goal came with 15 minutes left, and 10 minutes later — to win the game — Sidra Besson scored on a free kick, lifting the Lions 3-2 for the win on Thursday night.

“They’re playing as a team now,” Comparato said. “It was just an amazing effort. It’s all on them.”

Lawrence scored the first goal under five minutes into the match. A couple of quick passes brought the ball the length of the field for the Lions, and junior Ginny Besson hit the back of the net to take a 1-0 lead.

The Firebirds weathered the early score and battled hard. A shot around the 10-minute mark of the game bounced off the side of the goalpost. Free State goalkeeper Merrit Hale came up with a big stop 10 minutes after that, and the Firebirds got their first goal with under 18 minutes left in the half when senior Taylor Woods shot the ball to the top of the net. The Firebirds then took the lead with a deep shot from Sophia Christie that snuck into the goal.

Comparato was happy with his team’s defense, even with the two goals allowed. The Lions played more cohesively on that end, which he hasn’t seen much of this season. Players like Erin Derby made numerous plays on the outside, and players like Maggie Wagner did so on the interior. It was a step in the right direction after the Lions struggled through a three-game losing streak.

Both teams battled hard in a physical game. With a one-goal deficit, the Lions started the second half with a couple of close shots. The Firebirds held them out of the net for the first 25 minutes of the half until freshman Rylee Williams scored the game-tying goal after an inside pass gave her leverage over the Free State defense.

“I wasn’t even thinking (during the play),” Williams said. “When it went in, I was just thinking, ‘No way that just happened.’ I think that was the most hyped thing ever in my life.”

Free State fought for the lead back and came close to a third goal that freshman Lillian Poteete saved with six minutes on the clock. A little over one minute later, Sidra Besson scored the game-winner on the free kick.

Comparato said the Lions “gave our attackers opportunities.” A few deep passes helped set up their attackers, who put pressure on the Firebirds with a few breakaways that came close to goals.

“We’re starting to get that passing combination,” Comparato said. “The girls are starting to work inside out and create opportunities.”

Both teams had their young stars make plays. Lauren Woods assisted on one of Free State’s goals, and the Lions closed with four freshmen on the field. Both teams have had a lot of early production from their freshmen classes.

The win moved the Lions to 3-3 on the season, while Free State fell to 3-2.

“This win is a lot of momentum for us — this is what we worked for,” Poteete said. “This is the game we play for all season, so it’s good to pull this one out.”