Coming into the 2014 season, LSU soccer coach Brian Lee knew the approach to set pieces had to change to compete against the elite teams in the Southeastern Conference.
This change started with the recruiting class of 2014, highlighted by the addition of freshmen defenders Jordane Carvery, Alexis Urch, midfielder Christyna Pitre and forward Jorian Baucom.
Each of these players is taller than 5-feet-7-inches, and Lee said he recruited them specifically for their physicality and ability to control the ball in the air.
“We have height, something that was missing the last few years,” said junior midfielder Natalia Gomez-Junco. “That helps a lot in midfield to win those first and second balls. In corners and set pieces, we definitely look dangerous every time we have one.”
Taking advantage of set pieces is crucial for the Tigers, whose style of play is not focused on getting corner kicks and other set pieces. In 2013, LSU ranked 12th in the SEC in total corners and 13th in average corners with only 4.20 per game.
Although the quantity of corners per game has not changed this season, the Tigers’ potential to convert these chances into goals has increased from last year.
“Natalia and [sophomore midfielder] Emma [Fletcher] can put the ball where it needs to be, but for the first time, we have players who can head it in or head it out,” Lee said. “Carvery, Urch and Pitre, that’s a pretty imposing line of kids challenging headers. We’ve just been a little unlucky not to score more.”
Despite the trio’s ability to effectively head the ball, the Tigers have not yet scored off a corner this season. The youth of the team’s targets on set pieces makes these chances difficult to convert.
“For us, [freshman] Lily [Alfeld] is the goalkeeper, and Urch, Pitre, Carvery and Baucom are some of our main targets for set pieces, so we are not just young when the ball is rolling,” Lee said. “In set pieces, we are really, really young, so there is always going to be an adjustment period.”
LSU has scored on set pieces this season despite its struggles on corners. Gomez-Junco curved in a free kick from outside the box to score in the second game of the season, and Baucom slammed home a penalty kick against BYU on Sept. 11.
Defending set pieces is another focus for the Tigers, especially with No. 10 Texas A&M coming to Baton Rouge on Friday. The Aggies have scored nine goals so far this season on set pieces.
LSU’s ability to convert set pieces into goals and defend opponents’ set pieces successfully will play a key role in determining its success through a conference schedule, littered with RPI top 50 teams.