After dropping its second game of the season against Texas Christian University on Friday, the LSU soccer team returns to Baton Rouge tonight to face Stephen F. Austin in its last home game before the Tigers open Southeastern Conference play at home on Sept. 26.
During tonight’s match, the LSU soccer program will be celebrating Hispanic Heritage Night. 
The night is especially important for the program considering two of its stars, junior midfielder Fernanda Piña and junior midfielder Natalia Gomez-Junco represent Mexico in international competition when they are not wearing the purple and gold. 
“In Mexico, we try to play even more passing and more possession,” Gomez-Junco said. “It’s way less physical than how it is here in college soccer. By getting better here and by being more athletic I bring that to Mexico, and it makes me a better player.” 
On the pitch, the Tigers hope to regain momentum against the Ladyjacks before heading off on a four-game road stretch. 
Offensively, LSU looks to focus on developing the chemistry between the young forwards and veteran midfielders to create a more cohesive offensive unit. 
LSU coach Brian Lee said the forwards struggled to adapt to certain tactics that TCU’s defense used on Friday, but one of the team’s goals is to get the
players more comfortable playing with one another. 
The Tigers’ forwards are led by sophomore Summer Clarke and freshman Jorian Baucom, who are tied for most goals on the team with three each. 
Clarke led the team last year with 10 goals on the season, while Baucom continues to make a splash in her freshman campaign after scoring her first goal in the first minute of her collegiate
career. 
“Jorian came around late and was dangerous,” Lee said. “I feel like we have a lot of versatile kids.” 
After the midfield struggled against TCU, the Tigers’ group of experienced players in the middle look to control the center of the field and better distribute the ball to the
forwards. 
“We think we can attack from a lot of different ways from a lot of different people,” Lee said. “Emma Fletcher and Summer Clarke are proven top-notch attacking players, and we think Jorian [Baucom] and Natalia [Gomez-Junco] can do the same.”
The Tigers’ young defensive line led by sophomore Megan Lee will face another challenge in the Ladyjacks’ freshman forward Hanna Barker, who is tied for the team lead with two goals. 
Kick off for LSU’s match against Stephen F. Austin is set for 6 p.m. in the LSU Soccer Stadium.