photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence sophomore Maggie Wagner beats an Olathe North forward to move the ball upfield in a 2-1 overtime loss to Olathe North on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Lawrence.

Lawrence girls soccer fell 2-1 in overtime to Olathe North at home on Thursday, dropping to 2-2 on the season with the team’s second straight loss.

Despite the loss, coach Joe Comparato was overall pleased with the team’s performance, particularly across regulation.

“We really played a good game,” he said. “We lost because of a couple of mistakes we made, especially the early goal we gave up. We fought hard, we played good — we just didn’t get the bounce in the end.”

The Lions took an early lead with a free kick from Stella Comparato from the right side of the net just outside the penalty area nine minutes into the game. The lead didn’t last long, as the Eagles tied it up eight minutes later. The Lions couldn’t stop a pass to the middle of the field that set up a deflected shot into the goal. There were a few good opportunities for the Lions’ offense that didn’t end in goals as the team struggled to finish.

“We had so many chances, but we’re just not putting them away,” Joe Comparato said. “I almost feel like with the goal we gave up (in regulation), we shouldn’t have gone to overtime. We could’ve had a several-goal lead.”

Lawrence defensively held firm for the rest of the game. The Eagles had a few chances that defenders like Erin Derby shut down along the sidelines. In general, the Lions played well for 80 minutes. Still, Comparato said the defense can work on not allowing so much open space, which can put the defense in trouble.

Three minutes into overtime, the Eagles got a shot on goal that was just out of reach of goalie Lillian Poteete, giving the Eagles a 2-1 win.

The biggest issue for the team was the number of missed opportunities on the offensive end. Comparato had to remind his team to settle down during halftime, as the Lions were a little too stiff and frantic on offense. That plays out with the team sometimes taking shots a second too early or taking an extra touch on the ball and missing the play. Comparato said it’s about “mental awareness, and it comes down to just settling down.”

“I feel like they get in the game, and they’re pushing a little too hard or pushing a little too fast,” Comparato said. “It’s finding that balance between intensity and patience.”

Lawrence is incorporating some new pieces to its team, including three freshmen who played in the game. Given more time playing on the field together, the Lions put the pieces together for a more consistent offensive attack. The offensive issues haven’t been due to a lack of skill or speed, but execution.

“The process is coming along,” Comparato said. “(The freshmen) are playing their spots really well, and they’re coming along. Overall, I can’t complain.”

The Lions have two games next week. They start with Shawnee Mission Northwest on the road on Tuesday before hosting Free State on Thursday.