The LSU men’s soccer club heads into the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association Region IV tournament this weekend in San Marcos, Texas, seeking to defend its regional championship.
The team comes into regionals sporting a 6-2 overall record including a 5-0 record in the Louisiana conference. Club president Jordan Scott said there is an opportunity to win regionals again and go further in nationals than last year.
“Last year we had more success than we ever had with this club,” head coach June No said. “But with this team, the chance is there to top that.”
One of the keys to the Tigers success this year has been on the defensive side of the ball. In their six victories this season, LSU has allowed only three goals. In each of those three games, the Tigers have won by at least four goals.
An improvement in depth represents the biggest difference between this team and the one last year, No said. Scott believes multiple people on the team can step up and be the best player, and that type of mentality has been key in the team’s dominance.
With this type of acumen on the team, No does not serve as a coach unless it is a game. Practices are usually run by the club officers, and this system works well for a team of mostly juniors and seniors.
“Having practices run by the players definitely helps our team, especially considering how young June is,” said club vice president Nico Bereciartua. “Everyone understands each other, knows when each other wants to sub in, and knows what drills work best for practice.”
Despite the success, the Tigers are also coming off their most disappointing game of the season, a 6-0 loss to Texas A&M last Friday. The six goals allowed were more than LSU had allowed all season, and it was the first time an opponent shut out the Tigers in 2013.
After the original game scheduled for Oct. 18 was cancelled due to rain, a quick make-up date left many missing the game due to conflicts and put players like Bereciartua out of position.
“[The A&M game] was almost like a preview for the tournament,” Bereciartua said. “We played the game because it was scheduled. After they scored the first three goals, we were kind of just like, ‘Alright now we know what we are getting into, we just have to look out.’”
The Tigers may not face A&M in the tournament, but they will take on a pair of schools from Texas in North Texas University and Texas Christian University to start the tournament both of which are big-bodied, physical teams and have a style of play similar to A&M.
To combat this brute style, the team will have to rely on a finesse style that relies on precision passing, an ability to spread the field and discipline on defense, Bereciartua said.
The Tigers begin the tournament with North Texas on Friday at 8 a.m., and then face TCU at noon.
“I think the main thing is to focus as a team no matter what happens,” Scott said. “We need to pick each other up and not let anybody fall down, because if we fall down 1-0, the game isn’t over. With this team, we can always come back.”

Gallery • 4 Photos

Charles Champagne

LSU biological engineering senior Christopher Focht scrimmages Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013 at the UREC practive fields along with the LSU men's soccer club.