photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World
The Free State girls soccer team gathers before a match with Lawrence High on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at FSHS.
Taylor Woods simply wouldn’t be denied.
The Firebirds rode their junior forward’s hat trick – as Woods found the net three times in the first half – to a 4-0 romp over Lawrence High at home in Thursday’s City Showdown.
Besides earning simple bragging rights, the Firebirds (3-10-0) contained play upfield for much of the match, even if Woods feels her third goal of the night was accidental.
“I didn’t mean to shoot the last one,” Woods said jokingly. “And then it just went in so it was a good surprise.”
The lead-up to Woods’ big first half was a bumpy one. The match quickly paused after kickoff due to an injury timeout, and Woods first found the net on a penalty kick to hand the Firebirds a 1-0 lead with over 30 minutes still to play in the first half.
FSHS continued threatening the box and nearly scored again near the 25-minute mark, but LHS sophomore Emma Lawrence blocked a shot from slipping past goalkeeper Emerson Sloop.
The Firebirds’ momentum seemingly waned when goalkeeper Merrit Hale exited the match with an injury, replaced by senior Elizabeth Hare, with 13 minutes left until the break.
photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World
Free State sophomore defender Cara Jeffries throws the ball in during a match with Lawrence High on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at FSHS.
photo by: Conner Becker/Journal-World
Lawrence High senior Megan Derby looks for her teammate during a match at Free State on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
Free State junior Taylor Woods (20, middle) celebrates with her teammates at halftime during a match with Lawrence High on Thursday, May 2, 2024, at FSHS.
Woods found the net twice during the final stretch of the first half, scoring her second goal on a free kick and her firing her third score past the right post, to beef up the Firebirds’ lead.
“It kept our energy really high,” FSHS junior defender Amelia Wiles said.
In the second half, the Lions kept the Firebirds off the scoreboard for much of the remaining 40 minutes until senior forward Kate Foust added a fourth goal with under five minutes to play.
In FSHS senior Riley Prier’s opinion, the Firebirds’ defense is tightening up at the right time.
“We won like almost every 50/50 ball, which is really good,” Prier said. “… I feel we’re in a better position than we were last year.”
FSHS hosts Shawnee Mission Northwest and LHS travels to Shawnee Mission East on Tuesday, as both squads prepare for the regional playoff race.
Box score
Lawrence 0 0 – 0
Free State 3 1 – 4
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