photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Maggie Wagner gains possession of the ball in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

It took over 75 minutes before the Lawrence girls soccer team scored, but persistence paid off as the Lions secured a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday.

“We won the game in the midfield and defense,” Lawrence coach Joe Comparato said. “We thwarted every one of their attempts. We controlled the middle of the pitch. We just continued to pound, and we finally got through the line.”

Lawrence had a hard time scoring, but the defense made sure that the Raiders also didn’t have clear shots on the goal.

“The team is really coming together in that they know what they’re capable of and are true to how we play the game,” Comparato said. “Especially defensively. Our zonal defense is so good now, that we don’t have to think about how we’re defending.”

Chemistry has been a key to the Lions’ success all year, and that’s been a difference-maker on defense. The team’s coverage and pressure is instinctual. Comparato says it’s not just the back line, that the team defends up to the forwards and prevents teams from connecting on passes through the middle.

The first half was quiet for both offenses, and the ball stayed around the midfield for most of it. The Raiders had a few early chances, but the defense was relentless in preventing shots on goal. Sophomore goalkeeper Lillian Poteete had a few saves, all of which were routine. Senior Erin Derby said the team flows well together defensively to cover all bases.

“Even when it’s 0-0 we keep the same intensity, and we always have that intensity,” junior Maggie Wagner said. “We believe in our offense and know it’ll come eventually.”

Offensively, the Lions had a hard time getting good looks on shots. Comparato credited the Raiders’ backline defenders in their ability to make life difficult for the front line.

“They knew how to play against us,” Comparato said. “They knew how fast and strong our front line is. They played us tough all game.”

Lawrence got caught in a number of offsides calls in the first half, which contributed to the quiet offense for the Lions. Comparato said it was a combination of the team not making runs fast enough and not passing quickly enough in windows, which led to some successful offsides traps for Shawnee Mission South.

But the front line stayed persistent, and with less than five minutes left on the clock, senior Ginny Besson scored the game-winning goal after getting past the back line.

“Ginny had trouble where Ginny normally doesn’t have trouble,” Comparato said. “She had to work harder than she has all year for that shot, but she got it done.”

The Lions kept the pressure on for the final minutes, and Besson scored her second goal with 14 seconds left for good measure.

“They play all 80 minutes and don’t give up,” Comparato said. “I believe in them, and they believe in themselves. That makes a difference.”

Lawrence has four games across two weeks left in the regular season, three of which will be at home. One of those teams is a 10-0-1 Shawnee Mission East team, who the Lions play on Tuesday. Another is Olathe Northwest, who is fourth in the 6A East with a 9-3 record. Both teams will be a challenge, but the Lions have faith in themselves.

“We just have something to prove, and we’re all excited and ready for it,” Derby said.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Layla Simmons battles for possession in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Rylee Williams dribbles the ball in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence seniors Erin Derby, left, and Ginny Besson, right hug after Besson scores the game-winning goal in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Ellorie Severin defends in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Abby Lawrence defends in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Erin Derby makes contact with an opposing player in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence senior Elise Lawrence watches the ball in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.

photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Maggie Wagner gains possession of the ball in a 2-0 win over Shawnee Mission South on Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Lawrence.