photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence freshman Layla Simmons runs to get open in a 3-2 overtime win over Blue Valley on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, in Lawrence.

When the Lawrence girls soccer team needed someone to step up ahead of the playoffs, freshman Layla Simmons answered the call.

Simmons started the season strong, showing off her speed and scoring ability in more of a reserve role for the Lions. But an ankle injury sidelined her for a late stretch in the season. Other injuries on the team mounted, and Simmons had to work her way back from recovery to help her team.

On Tuesday, Simmons finished with a goal and got the hockey assist on the golden goal in Lawrence’s 3-2 overtime win over Blue Valley, which secured the Lions’ spot in the regional championship. The freshman, even when she wasn’t scoring, was part of a dynamic forward group that put pressure on the Tigers and scored three goals.

“It was hard to bounce back, especially because I was still healing when Stella got hurt,” Simmons said. “But I just knew I had to step in there. It feels like I’m doing everything that I’m supposed to be doing. It feels like everything is going right. I’m not letting my teammates down.”

Lawrence coach Joe Comparato already has a lot of trust in the freshman. Even as she’s working her way back through injury and her conditioning isn’t what non-injured players are at, Comparato said he knew to keep Simmons on the field because of her affect on defenses.

“She’s a dangerous player,” Comparato said. “When she’s not making a play, she’s creating space for someone because they have to pay attention. That’s why we’re so dangerous between (Ginny and Sidra Besson) and Rylee (Wiliams) and Layla.”

It’s been a good freshman year for Simmons in school sports. As a backup guard for the girls basketball team, she and a young Lawrence team won 14 games and reached the substate championship. A few weeks later, Simmons became a contributor for the Lawrence girls soccer team that has had one of the best seasons in school history and is set to compete in the regional championship.

“It’s been amazing,” Simmons said of her freshman year. “I love the sports at LHS. Everyone around is just so nice and welcoming and makes me feel like I’m a big part of the team. We all have worked so well together, especially in soccer — the team is the strongest it’s ever been.”

Hustle is the operative word for Simmons when she plays. On the basketball court, her hustle and defensive toughness earned her consistent minutes on a playoff team. The Lions had depth at guard, but Simmons still forced her way into the rotation by playing fast and aggressive.

The soccer pitch is no different. Simmons uses her speed to stretch defenses, and her play style fits seamlessly into the Lawrence offense. The Lions have won 11 games this year because of the speed and athleticism among the forwards. Seniors Stella Comparato, Ginny Besson and Sidra Besson were a dominant trio for the Lions, and Simmons has fit right in with the group because of her style of play.

The Lawrence girls basketball team was young, with only two seniors on varsity. That made it easier for a newcomer like Simmons to immediately step into the rotation and play.

The Lawrence girls soccer team, however, is the opposite. It’s a veteran group with a lot of seniors who have played together at Lawrence for years, which, in theory, might make it difficult for a young player to join the team and immediately carve out a role.

But that hasn’t been the case for Simmons. It helps that Simmons has years of experience with the other younger contributors on the team, such as goalkeeper Lillian Poteete and forward Rylee Williams, but the older Lions on the team have welcomed Simmons and allowed her to flourish.

“It’s been pretty easy,” Simmons said. “They welcomed me in, trusted me with the ball, saw what I can do and saw my speed. We use that to our advantage.”

Comparato said opposing defenses can’t man mark anyone on the forward line, and if defenses try to double someone, it leaves others open to make a play.

“We’re all fast, so when we get a breakthrough, there’s always somebody there,” Simmons said.

Simmons had been dealing with an ankle injury during the season which sidelined her after an impressive early-season start. But when the team needed someone to step up as other injuries occurred ahead of the playoffs, Simmons was there to make the play.

And on Thursday, the Lions are going to need her to step up again.

Lawrence is set to play Mill Valley, a team that finished the season 13-1-2 and the No. 2 seed in the 6A East. The Tigers’ lone loss came against St. James Academy — a 5A team that is 15-2-0 — in the first game of the season. When Lawrence and Mill Valley played earlier this year, the Tigers won 2-0 in Lawrence.

But Simmons wasn’t healthy that game, and she knows she can make a difference. The Lions entered the season with a goal to make it out of a regional, and for the Lions to pull off the upset, they’re going to need Simmons to bring her hustle and speed.

“I’m excited to play Mill Valley,” Simmons said. “They’re such a competitive and strong team, and I didn’t get to play them last time. So I’m ready for that game.”