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Opening the year with a bang, the Lawrence High boys soccer team strolled by Topeka High 5-1 on Tuesday night in Joe Comparato’s debut as the LHS boys head coach.

Leading the way for LHS (1-0), junior forward Asher Sikes had a big night with two goals, including a penalty kick, and two assists. Sikes’ score(s) built on the momentum set by Patrick Sandefur’s initial goal in the first half, as the Trojans’ defense struggled to contain Comparato’s squad throughout the second half.

Capitalizing on the hot start, junior Aidan Esperance came off the bench in a big way and added a goal of his own to give the Lions some insurance.

LHS is showcasing its depth early, Comparato said.

“They’re comfortable and they trust each other,” Comparato said. I like our bench and how it comes in and supports. I like how these guys are holding it down.”

Additionally, junior midfielder Josh Lavin and sophomore goalkeeper Murphy Nowak received similar praise from their head coach. Nowak was credited with three key saves during Tuesday’s win.

After the victory, Comparato feels confident about LHS’s ceiling ahead.

“I attribute a lot to the hard work they put in this summer,” Comparato said. “As they get better, they’re going to be a dangerous team.”

LHS hosts DeSoto at 7:30 p.m on Thursday.

Free State boys fall to DeSoto in soccer opener

The Free State boys soccer team fell behind early and never seemed to find a rhythm through all 90 minutes of their season-opening 1-0 loss at DeSoto. The Wildcats (1-0) struck first, scoring under 20 minutes into the match and clinging to its lead the rest of the way.

FSHS head coach Joe Waldron, who experimented with multiple lineups during the second half in Tuesday’s match, said his team had every opportunity to create an answer.

“We did everything I could think of to make it work,” Waldron said. “A lot of their hearts are in the right spot, but their effort was off… you learn more from your losses than your wins.”

While no single Firebird jumped off the page on Tuesday, Waldron said his six seniors are eager to get back to practice and find the win column next week.

Next up, FSHS hosts Shawnee Heights on Sept. 5.

Eudora soars in road test at Paola

On the road for their second match of the season, the Eudora boys soccer team screamed past Paola 9-0 on Tuesday improving to 2-0 on the year.

Senior Derek Lehmann had a big night, racking up six total goals for the Cardinals. Three more goals came by way of seniors Ayden Ramirez (1), Evan Bradley (1) and Kaden Kerr (1).

Next up, Eudora travels to Bishop Miege on Thursday. Kickoff is slated for 7:15 p.m.

LHS volleyball drops season-opener at Blue Valley Northwest

Fighting hard but not hard enough, the Lawrence High volleyball team dropped its season opener at Blue Valley Northwest on Tuesday night, falling in all three sets – 25-12, 25-19 and 25-20 – to the Huskies (1-1).

The Lions (0-1) were led by junior setter Olivia Monroe with 18 assists and eight digs. Senior Seenane Brewer commanded 13 kills and chipped in nine digs, as well.

Padding LHS on the stat sheet, sophomore outside hitter Kennedy Glasgow finished the night with 13 digs in her varsity debut.

LHS returns to action against Olathe South on Sept. 5. FSHS hosts Topeka-Seaman in its home opener on Thursday at 5 p.m.

FSHS, LHS girls golf open season at Firebird Invite

Six area golfers were in action at the Firebird Invitational on Monday at Lawrence Country Club as four LHS golfers and two Free State golfers made their fall debuts.

FSHS junior Merrit Hale set the bar for both teams, tying for 36th (102) through 18 holes. Senior Elizabeth Engelbrecht wasn’t far behind, carding 111 for 51st overall.

On the LHS side, senior Shea Rowley finished 63rd overall (123); sophomore Abril Guereca finished 73rd (134); senior Lily Fisher finished 74th (136); and senior Kaelyn McClorey rounded out the day with a 139 for 75th place.

Both teams return to action at Wamego on Sept. 5.