photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

The Lawrence High girls soccer team celebrates after freshman Maggie Wagner scored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission North in double-overtime on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024, at LHS.

Freshman Maggie Wagner delivered the game-winning goal in Lawrence High girls soccer’s 1-0 double-overtime win over Shawnee Mission North in Wednesday’s home opener. The final play came down to a crucial corner kick by sophomore Stella Comparato.

Recalling her game-winner, Wagner said she hardly received any notice before Comparato forced the ball back into the box and, consequently, found Wagner’s forehead.

Her shot avenged the Lions’ 2-0 loss to SM North in last year’s season opener in Overland Park.

“(Comparato) hit it back in and I was like, ‘Oh this is me, I’ve got to get a head on it,'” Wagner said. “It just miraculously went in.”

After a scoreless first period, the Lions missed two free kicks early in the second half and leaned on junior goalkeeper Avery Sutton to keep LHS in the match late. Sutton made two key saves as regulation expired.

In the first overtime, SM North seemingly found its game-winner as sophomore Tamiah Washington broke past Sutton for an open look and, instead, fired just left of the post.

LHS got two more looks at the goal leading up to Wagner’s goal, including another free kick and a diving save by SM North sophomore goalkeeper Danika Bremenkamp.

LHS hosts Topeka High on Friday. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High sophomore Stella Comparato (31) passes the ball during a match with Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High junior Giova Rubenstein watches a throw-in from afar during a match with Shawnee Mission North on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024, at LHS.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

The Lawrence High girls soccer team celebrates after freshman Maggie Wagner scored the game-winner in a 1-0 win over Shawnee Mission North in double-overtime on Tuesday, Mar 19, 2024, at LHS.

Free State carrying momentum into home stretch, Fayetteville trip

Spotless through its first two dates, Free State baseball looks to build on its South Dakota series with contests with Bishop O’Gorman on Thursday, Roosevelt on Friday and Brandon Valley on Saturday to round out the week.

A week ago, junior Blaine Larkin (3 IP, 1 H, 3 BB and 4 K) got the starting nod in the Firebirds’ 11-6 win over Sioux Falls-Lincoln in FSHS’ home opener. Junior Andrew Zimmerschied (R, 2 H and 4 RBI), senior Kyle Graves (R, 2 H and RBI), junior Ryan Weishaar (R, 2 H, RBI) and freshman Finn Moore (2 R, 2 H and RBI) all contributed to the Firebirds’ 10 total hits on the day.

Displaying power behind the plate – something FSHS returns plenty of this season – this early into the year has settled some nerves, Larkin said.

“It’s a great feeling to come off the field after pitching and getting a ton of runs,” Larkin said. “It comes and goes pretty quick … I’m really nervous before I pitch, but after the first pitch I’m locked in and ready to go.”

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Free State players take their best swing during batting practice on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024, at FSHS.

FSHS cleared Sioux Falls-Harrisburg 10-0 in its next contest, leaning on Graves (5 IP, 1 BB, 7 K) and seven total hits to shut out the Tigers at home.

When asked about the Firebirds’ upcoming home slate, senior Tyler Jeffries said the team’s philosophy is pretty simple: play ball. FSHS, following this week’s slate of games, welcomes in Sunflower League foes Olathe South and Shawnee Mission North before heading off for Fayetteville, Arkansas, next Friday.

“We can’t underestimate them ever,” Jeffries said. “… Play our ball, don’t change how we play and just keep playing Free State baseball.”

FSHS hosts Sioux Falls-Bishop O’Gorman on Thursday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Multiple LHS seniors impress in opening weekend

Lawrence High’s senior-heavy squad made its ambitions clear with two convincing wins over Sioux Falls-Harrisburg (8-1) and Sioux Falls-Lincoln (12-2) to begin the season.

Seniors Brooks Jones (5 IP, H, 4 BB and 7 K) and Vaughn Wells (5 IP, 2 H, R, 2 BB and 4 K), in succession, earned the first two starts of the season.

The Lions outhit Harrisburg 10-1 in the first outing of the year, backed by seniors Sammy Stoll (4 R, 3 H, RBI and BB) and Connor Nowak (1 R, 2 H and 3 RBI). Settling into a groove before the league schedule begins is pivotal through the end of March, Stoll said.

“Everyone’s kind of been determined to start hot and we don’t plan on slowing down any time soon,” Stoll said. “It’s a good time to get hot and stay hot.”

LHS carried that theme into its matchup with Lincoln, racing to a six-run lead by the end of the third before leaning on Wells and junior Brice Schwada (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R and 1 K) as the Lions piled on five more runs through the sixth.

photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World

Lawrence High players share a chat during batting practice on Tuesday, Mar. 19, 2024, at LHS.

With six more games required of the LHS bullpen with the extension to 26 games, Wells feels optimistic about the staff’s endurance heading into the rest of the spring.

Wells, Jones, seniors Cale Paden, Kyan Guss and Jack Grimes are profiting from former Kansas pitching coach Ryan Graves.

“It’s been a long offseason, so they’re looking to find their groove and kick into high gear as we progress,” Wells said. “(Graves) dials us in, he’s a great guy who’s got us locked in.”

LHS hosts Sioux Falls-Harrisburg on Thursday. First pitch is set for 1:45 p.m.

Free State swimmer earns Olympic Trials qualifying time

Free State freshman Ellis Crisci notched an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the 1,500-meter freestyle at the Region VIII Speedo spring sectional meet in Columbia, Missouri, last weekend, Lawrence Public Schools announced in a release on Monday.

“Reached by only a handful of male swimmers his age, this accomplishment requires a difficult training regimen, strength, endurance, and technique coaching; and personal dedication and sacrifice,” the release said. “The 15-year-old wakes up at 4 a.m. to train in Liberty, Missouri, before attending school at Free State, and then returning to Liberty each evening, as well as Saturdays.”

Crisci also earned U.S. Open qualifying times in the 800-meter freestyle and junior qualifying times in the 400-meter freestyle, 400-meter individual medley, 200-meter freestyle and 200-meter butterfly. Last summer, Crisci ascended to No. 4 on the USA Swimming Top 100 Performances of All-Time list in the 800-meter freestyle (boys age 13-14).

Next, Crisci prepares for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials set for June 15-23 in Indianapolis in the hopes of representing Team USA in Paris.