photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence celebrates a Sidra Besson goal in a 4-2 win over Free State on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Lawrence.

The Lawrence High Chesty Lions girls soccer team is on a roll.

Lawrence High won its third straight match and ran its season record to 5-1 with a 4-2 win over Free State Thursday night at Free State in the latest renewal of the City Showdown.

“The biggest thing about this year’s team is that we have a lot of players who have been on the varsity level since they were freshmen,” Lawrence High head coach Joe Comparato said. “We’ve been building a culture and style of play for the past several years and all of the pieces are in the right place for us.”

The Chesty Lions – who have now won consecutive games over their archrivals – got a hat trick from senior Sidra Besson and a goal from freshman Layla Simmons to hold off a pesky Free State squad that battled until the final whistle.

“We expected tonight to be a big challenge and the girls stepped up,” Free State head coach Tyson Heck said. “(Lawrence High) just took some great shots. We battled to the end, and that’s all I can ask for out of my team.”

Free State (2-3-1) got on the board first when Cara Jeffries converted a penalty kick at 15:09 to give the Firebirds an early 1-0 advantage. However, Lawrence High struck back almost immediately, as Simmons got her goal at exactly 19:00 and one minute and 29 seconds later later Besson scored off a long direct kick from outside the penalty area to put the Lions ahead, 2-1.

“Winning this match feels amazing,” said Besson, whose team has beaten Free State in three of the last four meetings. “It’s big to beat our rivals, and it’s emotional when we play them. I’m really proud of how we played.”

It stayed 2-1 Lawrence High until the 65th minute, when a Lion was hauled down in the penalty area, earning Lawrence High a penalty kick. Besson converted the PK to push LHS in front, 3-1. About four minutes later, Besson finished her hat trick with another long direct kick into the top corner of the net, putting the Lions in front, 4-1.

Free State got one back at 72:23 on a long direct-kick goal by Wittney Bogart to get the Firebirds to within 4-2, but Lawrence High stood tall from there to knock off its rival.

“For me as a coach, the rivalry is distracting because our team has some big goals,” Comparato said. “So, I’m glad we got this match out of the way relatively early in the season, so now we can focus on league matches and long-term goals. That being said, it’s always good to get a win, especially when it’s a rival.”

Lawrence High is back in action Tuesday, traveling to Gardner Edgerton for a 7 p.m. match. Meanwhile, Free State hosts Topeka High Monday, also at 7 p.m.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Sidra Besson and Free State senior Riley Prier battle for the ball in a 4-2 Lawrence win over Free State on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Erin Derby defends Free State freshman Evelyn Rivera in a 4-2 Lawrence win on Thursday, April 9, 2026, in Lawrence.