The LSU soccer team will be likely down a starter for the final three games of a crucial stretch run in Southeastern Conference play.
Freshman defender Megan Lee was called up by her native New Zealand to its national team for a two-game series next week against the top-ranked U.S. squad.
The Tigers (9-5-2, 5-2-1 SEC) are fighting for a potential bye in the SEC Tournament and, more importantly, an NCAA Tournament bid. Now, they could face three of the top seven teams in the league without a regular starter.
New Zealand’s first match against the U.S. is on Sunday in San Francisco. The teams then travel to Columbus, Ohio for a second match on Wednesday.
LSU hosts Georgia and travels to Kentucky this weekend before concluding its season at Texas A&M next Thursday.
Lee could still return to the team for the conference tournament and beyond.
Along with Summer Clarke and Emma Fletcher, Lee was part of a formidable freshman trio that helped catapult LSU to the top of league standings before dropping consecutive games to Ole Miss and Florida last weekend.
A week ago, Lee was tabbed the No. 50 freshman in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer for her versatility on the backline and in the midfield to go along with her lone goal and three assists in ten games this season.
“We’re very proud of Megan and the opportunity she has to represent her country at the highest level,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee in a news release. “The highest honor any soccer player can receive is to represent your country on the international stage. Megan has already enjoyed a decorated youth career for New Zealand, and she’s now got a chance to move up and compete at the senior level.”
The freshman has played in two U-17 World Cups and scored a pair of goals during the U-20 New Zealand squad’s 2-1 win against Australia in an international friendly back in July.
After touring Australia and Japan with the full national team during the summer, she came to LSU as a touted international recruit.
But Lee suffered an ankle injury in LSU’s exhibition win versus Nicholls State, missing the first six games and coming off the bench for a seventh.
LSU went 3-3-1 without Lee in the starting lineup. Since Lee returned as a starter, the Tigers have gone 6-2-1.
Soccer: Tigers lose Lee to native national team
October 22, 2013
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