The LSU soccer team dropped its fourth consecutive game with a 3-1 loss Sunday at No. 25 Kentucky.
The Tigers (9-7-2, 5-4-1 Southeastern Conference) were unbeaten through their first six SEC games and sat atop the league halfway through the slate, but their struggles during the last two weekends have sent them plummeting down the conference standings.
“I thought we were playing with great enthusiasm and effort, but once we scored the goal, we got a false sense of security and we let down a little bit,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “Our work rate slowed and Kentucky was good enough to capitalize, and they hit us with three quick goals.”
The Tigers committed 20 fouls Sunday, which directly led to two goals for the Wildcats (13-4-1, 7-3 SEC). Lee said the number of fouls doesn’t reflect poorly on LSU because some of them were a result of high effort and physical play.
The Tigers caught a break in the sixth minute when Kentucky junior midfielder Stuart Pope went down with a leg injury. Pope, who came into Sunday’s match tied for the team lead with 10 goals, did not return to action.
But the Wildcats unleashed an offensive barrage in the first half, firing 12 total shots. LSU senior goalkeeper Megan Kinneman rose to the occasion and saved all four shots on goal to keep the score deadlocked at zero at halftime.
The Tigers came roaring out of the break, and freshman defender Rebecca Pongetti scored her second goal of the season in the 51st minute to put LSU up 1-0. Freshman midfielder Emma Fletcher played the ball to Pongetti on the right wing for her 11th assist of 2013.
“Pongetti made a late run to open up just inside the box and took a touch around her defender,” Lee said. “She got her hips turned and struck it in the far post for a really good goal.”
Kentucky struck back 13 minutes later when junior defender Arin Gilliland netted the equalizer inside the left post. The Wildcats’ assault broke through again in the 72nd minute on a free kick that freshman forward Zoe Swift converted for a goal.
Before the Tigers could recover, freshman midfielder Alex Carter booted in another free kick two minutes later to put Kentucky up for good. The Wildcats finished with 18 total shots and nine shots on goal.
“There was disappointment because we did so well and followed a game plan well for 55 or 60 minutes, and then had a little mental breakdown post-goal,” Lee said.
Sunday’s loss comes two days after LSU fell to Georgia, 2-1, in its home finale. The Tigers will wrap up the regular season Thursday night at Texas A&M.

Gallery • 9 Photos

Charles Champagne

LSU junior defender and midfielder Jodi Calloway (10) and GA senior goalkeeper (1) battle for the ball Friday, Oct. 25, 2013 during the Tigers' loss againt Georgia 2-1