photo by: David Rodish/Journal-World

Lawrence junior Sullivan Leitch defends the ball in a 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2025, in Overland Park.

When it comes to the Lawrence boys soccer team’s defense, coach Joe Comparato has a lot of faith in the unit.

“No matter what happens in the game, they’re resilient,” Comparato said. “We can get down a goal, and we’re fine and win a game. We can be up a goal and let them get back in, and instead we turn the tide.

“As long as we can continue that and play that way, then I have a lot of confidence in what they can do.”

Lawrence has a veteran group with a 9-1-1 record, and experience has played a big part in how the team plays. They trust each other, they understand the game and they don’t get rattled easily. It all comes down to the trust and believe everyone has in each other based on their experience playing together.

While the team has been prolific in scoring with 31 goals in 11 games, the defense has been a consistent force in helping the Lions win games. The team’s ability to overcome errors has helped limit any goals allowed, which helps the offense to avoid pressing too hard.

“They have each other’s back, they talk, they cover space,” Comparato said.

Comparato was impressed with a particular defensive play in Lawrence’s 3-1 win over Shawnee Mission West on Tuesday. Senior goalkeeper Murphy Nowak came out of the net to contest a ball and was beaten to the ball, but the defense collapsed on the ball and kept it out of the net while Nowak was out of position.

It demonstrates Comparato’s larger observation that everyone on the team is always ready to back each other up and help out. It doesn’t matter what combination of players is in on defense, the unit makes plays.

“They’re always there, they’re always looking to cover each other,” Comparato said. “They give up a little too much space on the wing, and it makes me a little nervous, but they can cover and get behind the ball. They’re just really good back there.”

A lot of Lawrence’s defensive strengths start, and end, with Nowak. Having played varsity for three years, he’s a capable player whom Comparato can rely on.

“He has so much experience in this league — he knows what to expect,” Comparato said. “He controls the backline, he communicates with them, he does a great job leading. I have the utmost faith in him.

“Sometimes, I’d almost rather (the other team) get a shot off and let Murphy save it, rather than worry about us dink with the ball in the box, because those pinballs is where it becomes dangerous.”

For Nowak, what has made the difference is the trust the team has in each other. While the top of the team is full of juniors and seniors who have all played together on the varsity team since they were freshmen, the back line is a much younger group. Still, everyone has been able to buy into the culture and have built the trust they need. Nowak said it has become an emphasis to get the freshmen and sophomores more involved in the team building process off the pitch.

“I think we trust each other a lot, our communication has gotten better,” Nowak said. “In the games we’ve led in by more than two or three goals, it’s mistakes that we know we don’t make on the regular (that allow goals).”

As a team eyeing a deep postseason run, the Lions are working out the kinks that remain in their defense. For one, Nowak said the team can get a little too comfortable playing behind an offense that scores as much as Lawrence does. Staying focused on playing the way they want to play for a full 80 minutes will be essential for the Lions to compete in the playoffs.

More important than anything, though, is for the Lions to play the game the way they know they can play. With a team full of talent, experience and trust, its up to the Lions to determine how far they can go in the postseason.