In its first road test of the season, the LSU soccer team was defeated by Texas Christian University 2-0.
Throughout the first five games of 2014, the Tigers have relied on young defenders and on Friday night the lack of experience along the back line made adjustments more difficult.
“We put out a really young back four,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “It was a different sort of game for them with TCU being very direct coming out of their end. We were put under a lot of pressure from long balls, but I thought they did fine.”
TCU’s tactic placed pressure on the ability of LSU’s back line to transition the team into the attack. So far this season, the more veteran midfielders have been responsible for transitioning the team. On Friday, however, TCU forced the young defense to take on a larger role in transitioning the team.
“Probably the issue wasn’t so much how we defended it,” Lee said. “But when we collected the ball, being composed about how we came out in possession. We need to do a little better on that side of it. “
Throughout the season, the Tigers have depended on experienced midfielders to aid the defense and feed the young forwards.
“I thought we struggled a little in midfield,” Lee said. “TCU beat us to a bunch of first and second balls. They seemed to get to every loose ball first.”
Offensively, the Tigers struggled to put shots on frame, managing only 5 shots on goal out of their total 12 shots.
In both of LSU’s losses this season, the Tigers have combined to put six shots on goal out of 23 shots for less than 30 percent accuracy on frame against Rice and TCU.
The forwards were dangerous all night, but struggled to adjust throughout the game.
“We were trying to pass the ball into them,” Lee said. “TCU was dropping off as we were playing balls in. We didn’t react super well to that tactic, but it is a young front line, so we will hopefully get them more comfortable with each other.”
The Tigers held the Lady Horned Frogs scoreless in the first half. LSU freshman keeper Lily Alfeld had her best half so far as a Tiger, which included five saves.
“I thought Lily [Alfeld] made some good saves,” Lee said. “A lot of their chances were from long range shots, but I thought she did a good job.”
In the second half, the Horned Frogs took command with two goals from long distance, sealing the Tigers’ fate.
In fifty-second minute, TCU’s sophomore forward Michelle Prokof slammed in a goal off an assist from freshman forward Allison Ganter.
Junior midfielder Makenzie Koch scored on a loose ball in the box after a free kick by junior defender Bobbi Clemmer to extend TCU’s lead in the sixty-first minute.
The Tigers will return home to play Stephen F. Austin on Monday. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the LSU Soccer Stadium.