Whether it comes in the opening seconds or the 90th minute of a game, a goal is one of the most exciting spectacles in sports.
The LSU soccer team has provided ample excitement in 2013, as it’s on pace to have its best offensive output in the past four years. Through eight games this season, seven Tigers have combined to notch 12 goals on 16 assists.
In 2010, LSU posted 12 goals through eight games, but that number was buffered by an 8-0 victory against South Alabama. After scoring only nine goals at that point in 2011 and 2012, coach Brian Lee’s new-look offense has made its mark in 2013.
“Systemically, we’re trying to pass and create real goal-scoring chances,” Lee said. “Also, the new kids have brought a bit of a fresh approach to our attack, and they’re real creative. Some of the younger kids have gotten better too.”
Sophomore midfielder Fernanda Pina paced the Tigers last year with four goals throughout the entire season, and she’s already found the back of the net three times this season. She credited Lee’s attack-first scheme as a factor in LSU’s spike in offensive production.
“We are creating more chances this year, and that’s why there are other girls that have a lot of goals as well,” Pina said. “We’ve got a lot of chances, so we could have a lot more goals. We’ve got to practice finishing those chances.”
The influx of offensively skilled recruits has made Lee’s attacking style a reality. Freshman forward Summer Clarke and midfielder Emma Fletcher have heavily contributed so far, as Clarke has scored two goals and Fletcher is tied for the team lead with four assists.
The scoring onslaught isn’t limited to the attacking third. Senior defender Alex Ramsey netted her first career goal last weekend and senior goalkeeper Megan Kinneman scored on a penalty kick in LSU’s 1-0 victory against No. 13 USC on Sept. 8.
“Goals are goals, so we’re happy to get everyone in,” said junior midfielder Jodi Calloway. “We’re very attacking-oriented this season, so it gives a lot of people the opportunity to score. We’ve got defenders scoring, we’ve got forwards scoring, and midfielders too.”
Though Pina leads the pack with three goals, a trio of Tigers has made significant contributions. Clarke, Calloway and junior midfielder Alex Arlitt, who also scored four goals in 2012, have pitched in two goals apiece, further diversifying the LSU attack.
While the Tigers lack the presence of a truly dominant go-to threat, Lee prefers the spread-out LSU offense. With Lee’s players’ skill sets coinciding with his ideology, LSU boasts one of its best offenses in recent years.
“We like balance,” Lee said. “We want to score goals however they come, but balanced scoring certainly makes us more difficult to defend. I don’t think in a scouting report you’re going to focus on any one player if you’re preparing for us, and that’s a result of good ball movement.”
THROUGH EIGHT GAMES:
YEAR     GOALS      ASSISTS
2013     12            16
2012     9              10
2011     9              12
2010     12            14