While the minutes tick down in the first half, LSU junior forward Lexi Gibbs jogs up and down the sideline before giving her substitution assignment to the assistant referee at midfield.
As she stands at midfield awaiting a break in play, she remembers how she used to admire the girls who played at the LSU Soccer Stadium when she was a little girl watching from the stands.
“I’ve played in Baton Rouge since I was little,” Gibbs said. “Coming to LSU games … I did that every Sunday. When I was little, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, these girls — they’re big, they’re cool. Maybe if I could do that one day, that would be fun.’ I got the opportunity.”
Gibbs’ journey to LSU was a short move from Prairieville, Louisiana, but a long-awaited one. Playing for the Tigers has helped her grow in unexpected ways both on and off the pitch.
“I was very shy when I got here, so I think I’ve grown to have more of a voice,” Gibbs said. “I give a lot of credit to the coaches. They have morphed me into the person I am today, and I’m glad of that.”
Gibbs came to LSU in 2011 as the top-ranked recruit in Louisiana after a record-breaking four year prep career at Dutchtown High School, where she set the school record for goals scored with 159.
However, Gibbs didn’t see the field for the Tigers until her sophomore season in 2013. She appeared in 12 matches with one start against Kentucky.
On the field, Gibbs has developed into a spark off the bench. She plays a few minutes with a large impact on the tempo of the game and inspires her teammates with her effort.
“I kind of view myself as when I come on, I give a little spark to the rhythm of the game,” Gibbs said. “I take pride in coming off the bench. I love that role. When I do get on for 20 minutes a game, I add something to that half. I really enjoy what I do. If I knock a goal in, that’s great too. I just kind of come on and get our team on the energy level it should be on.”
Gibbs’ energy off the bench is particularly important this season, because it helps keep up the tempo along LSU’s young front line.
She adds a physical presence to the wings of the forward line, complementing freshman center forward Jorian Baucom.
“She’s very, very strong, so she goes strong into tackles, which is one of the reasons that [LSU soccer coach] Brian [Lee] has her play off the side because she goes in a little too hard sometimes,” said sophomore defender Megan Lee. “She changes the tempo, gets it a little more upbeat than usual.”
Although Gibbs’ physicality brings strength to the front line, her ability to hold the ball allows a break from chasing the ball and defending opponents for the players in the midfield and the back line.
Brian said Gibbs has improved on keeping possession since arriving at LSU.
“She holds the ball very well,” said junior midfielder Natalia Gomez-Junco. “She plays amazing blind lateral balls … It makes me, as a midfielder, take a break, because she can hold the ball up top, and she will work and give us a breather for everyone in the back.”
The improvement and effort Gibbs puts into her minutes lifts her teammates and helps them raise their level of play on the field.
“I love when Lexi goes in,” Gomez-Junco said. “She brings a different dynamic to the team … I think it is fun watching her go in. Sometimes she is almost scoring or scores and I think, ‘She just got in and I’m playing all game.’”
Gibbs’ growth on the field is a reflection of how she has become more confident off the field.
“I think Lexi is better at everything she does,” Brian said. “She is probably more comfortable academically and socially. Athletically, she has just grown up a lot. She’s had to work hard at it to make that happen for herself.”
You can reach Morgan Prewitt on Twitter @kmprewitt_TDR.