photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Quirin Kaempf gets into a defensive position in a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West at the Shawnee Mission District Soccer Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Overland Park.

Overland Park — Lawrence boys soccer improved to 9-1-1 with a 3-1 road win over Shawnee Mission West on Tuesday.

Lawrence coach Joe Comparato gave the credit to the LHS defense in the win, as the unit made difficult plays to keep the Vikings from scoring and taking momentum.

“When they came under pressure, they pulled it off and had some clutch stops when momentum could’ve gone the other way,” Comparato said.

It was a quiet first half, with the Lions not getting too many opportunities to put shots on goal. It wasn’t until a halftime adjustment that the potent LHS offense found its rhythm.

“They gave us some struggle with their width and how they were trying to overlap runners and overloading zones on the field,” Comparato said. “At halftime we corrected it, we learned how to fill the gaps and that’s how we started creating chances.”

Comparato was pleased with how the halftime adjustment came from the players, not him. With this Lions team, Comparato has learned how to avoid overcoaching and let his team work it out.

“We talk through things, we figure it out, we work through it, everybody lends their input,” Comparato said. “It’s a true team. They have something special, and I hope they realize that and keep that focus. We can make a run.”

In the second half, the Lions had a plethora of opportunities to score and cashed in three times. Less than five minutes into the half, Junior Gavin Hayes beat the Shawnee Mission West goalie to the ball and knocked it in the net after a header pass from senior Patrick Sandefur.

The Lions scored seven minutes later with a goal from sophomore Lincoln Beck, who kicked through the outstretched hands of Shawnee Mission West’s goalie.

Lawrence did have one defensive breakdown that led to a Vikings goal. A minute after Beck’s score, the Vikings bounced the ball around before finding an open shot at the goal.

But the Lions kept the offense pushing and had some of their best scoring opportunities in the final 20 minutes.

One of those opportunities came through as the Lions were given a free kick after a penalty a few feet outside of the penalty area. Hayes faked the kick and Sandefur hit the shot and found the back of the net for a goal.

“We had so many chances on top of the three that we put away,” Comparato said. “I’d like to see them get back into that easy finish, but overall, I’m happy with how they played.”

The Lions kept the Vikings on their heels with some close calls both up the middle of the defense and along the wings but weren’t able to add another goal to their total. Still, the Lions were able to keep an aggressive Vikings offense from making a comeback, as senior goalkeeper Murphy Nowak made a few leaping saves.

Lawrence will return home on Thursday to host Shawnee Mission South. After this week, the Lions will have four games in two weeks left on the schedule before the postseason starts. With how the season has unfolded so far, the Lions are feeling confident with the team’s ability to position themselves for a strong postseason run.

“It’s been a year for me to step way back and let the boys play,” Comparato said. “If they can keep their mentality and move forward, the sky is the limit for this group.”

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Gavin Hayes kicks the ball for a goal in a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West at the Shawnee Mission District Soccer Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Overland Park.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Lincoln Beck puts pressure on the ball in a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West at the Shawnee Mission District Soccer Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Overland Park.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Oscar Paden runs upfield in a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West at the Shawnee Mission District Soccer Complex on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, in Overland Park.