Lawrence High soccer rivals to team up at Missouri Western

Stella Comparato and Cara Jeffries will join forces on the college pitch next season.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action of a girls' soccer match, with the players and ball fragmented into overlapping planes of crimson, gold, navy, and white.The long-standing rivalry between two of Lawrence's top high school soccer stars will continue at the college level as they join forces to lead the Missouri Western State University women's team.Lawrence Today

For the past four years, Stella Comparato of Lawrence High and Cara Jeffries of Free State High have been fierce rivals on the girls soccer pitch, each trying to outperform the other. But next season, the two standout forwards will put aside their high school rivalry and join forces as teammates at Missouri Western State University.

Why it matters

The move to Missouri Western marks the end of a long-standing local rivalry between the two top scorers in the Lawrence area, who have pushed each other to new heights over the past four seasons. Their decision to continue their careers together at the college level is an interesting twist that will be closely watched by the community.

The details

Comparato, a forward for Lawrence High, has been a dominant goal-scorer for years, with her speed and skill making her a nightmare for opposing defenses. Jeffries, who plays for crosstown rival Free State High, says it's Comparato's speed that makes her such a prolific scorer, and that she's had to work hard to try and keep up with her on the pitch.

  • Comparato and Jeffries have been rivals for the past four high school soccer seasons.
  • They will join the Missouri Western State University women's soccer team next fall.

The players

Stella Comparato

A forward for the Lawrence High girls soccer team, known for her speed and goal-scoring ability.

Cara Jeffries

A forward for the Free State High girls soccer team, who has had to match up against Comparato for the past four seasons.

Missouri Western State University

The college where Comparato and Jeffries will play together next season, ending their high school rivalry.

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What they’re saying

“Stella's speed is what makes her such a great scorer. I've had to work hard to try and keep up with her over the years.”

— Cara Jeffries, Free State High forward

What’s next

Comparato and Jeffries will officially join the Missouri Western State University women's soccer team in the fall of 2026.

The takeaway

The decision by these two fierce high school rivals to continue their soccer careers together at the college level is an interesting and unexpected twist that will be closely watched by the Lawrence community. Their partnership at Missouri Western could lead to great success on the pitch.