photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Erin Derby takes the ball upfield in a 4-0 loss to Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lawrence.

Lawrence girls soccer (5-8) lost 4-0 to Shawnee Mission East in the Lions’ final home game of the season.

The game served as a senior night for Lawrence’s seven seniors: Katie Daughtery, Hannah Jenicke, Aaliysah Lanning, Eliza Pultz-Earl, Elise Rathmel, Reann Rodriguez and Giova Rubenstein. Lawrence coach Joe Comparato said it was a special moment, as that group was his first freshman class when he took over as the head coach.

“This is a tough one, but it’s also a good one in the sense that these seniors really started the culture we’re trying to put into this program, and it’s passing on,” Comparato said.

The game stayed scoreless for most of the first half, but Shawnee Mission East scored on a ball that snuck in under the top of the crossbar on a shot from outside the penalty area. Lawrence’s defense held strong for the final nine minutes and entered halftime down only a goal.

Comparato was pleased with the first-half results, particularly from the defense. He was happy with the team’s ability to trap some of the Lancer forwards and force offside penalties. However, the offense did not capitalize on the defense’s opportunities.

“Against a top team in the league, I think we played well,” Comparato said. “Our defense does so much work, our midfield does so much work to get the ball, and then we make an errant pass and we turn it back over.”

Shawnee Mission East entered the game fourth in the 6A East standings.

The Lancers started to gain some separation around the midway point of the second half. A couple of penalties gave the Lancers free kicks close to the net, and the Lancers took advantage of it. They scored twice in six minutes, taking a 3-0 lead halfway through the second half.

“That really quickly took it out of us,” Comparato said. “When you’re competing 1-0, it’s one thing, but when that happens, and you get down, you start to struggle, and you start to force things.”

Lawrence’s offense didn’t possess the ball enough to put much pressure on Shawnee Mission East, as the Lions finished scoreless in the game. The Lancers scored a final goal with under 15 minutes to play.

For the final regular season stretch, Comparato said he wants the team to attack together on offense as they attack together on defense. Decision-making and controlling the ball will be key for the team to have more offensive success.

“We don’t get many opportunities, so when we do, we have to make them count,” Comparato said. “We have to make the most of our opportunities quickly and early. If we get up on teams, then we can rely on our defense to win a game and get a good result.”

Lawrence will finish this week on the road against Olathe East. For the final week, Lawrence will take on Olathe Northwest on May 13 and Olathe South on May 15. After that, the playoffs begin.

“They can compete against any team in the league — they’ve shown that,” Comparato said. “It’s just those finer things now of finishing games. We have three games left to get a little head of steam and get some momentum.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Maggie Wagner catches up the ball in a 4-0 loss to Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Giova Rubenstein catches up to a Shawnee Mission East forward in a 4-0 loss to the Lancers on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Lawrence.