As the LSU soccer team begins its 2014 campaign, a question mark lingers over its young, talented defenders and their ability to unite.
Three defenders will return from last year’s squad, including second-team All-Southeastern Conference sophomore Megan Lee. The addition of freshmen Jordane Carvery, Ella Williams, and Alexis Urch fills a need for the Tigers, adding depth along the back line.
LSU coach Brian Lee said a focus in this year’s recruiting class was finding tall, physical defenders with top talent in the air.
The Tigers struggled defensively in recent years against some of the elite SEC opponents, like 2013 SEC Tournament champion Texas A&M, whose style is more of an aerial attack. LSU is 0-2 against the Aggies in the last two seasons.
The addition of Carvery, who is 5-foot-11, will provide the height and dominant center back in the air the Tigers have been missing.
However, Carvery has not had much time to gel with the team after returning from representing Canada in the U-20 Women’s World Cup last week.
In addition to Carvery, freshman keeper Lily Alfeld played for the U-20 New Zealand National Team and also arrived in Baton Rouge last week.
Alfeld is taking over the starting role as goalie and replacing keeper Megan Kinneman, who started all four years of her career and holds the school record with 284 saves.
Veteran players, like senior midfielder Alex Arlitt, will ease the transition for these young players.
“I know how much pressure they are under, how nervous they are, so I’m trying to help them,” Arlitt said. “I have played back there, so if I see something I say, ‘Look, step out here,’ or whatever it may be. But, at the same time, if they make a mistake, just encourage them and let them know for next time.”
The defensive line stood up to its first test in LSU’s season-opening, 2-0 win against Troy on Aug. 22, effectively communicating to stifle Troy’s attack.
“One of the things with the start of the season, especially when you don’t play an exhibition game, is just the coordination and communication in the back line,” Lee said. “It will get a whole lot better. When it did break down, Lily bailed us out. I thought she had a fantastic debut in goal to help when that happens.”
The back line’s development throughout the first half of the season will determine how well the Tigers compete as they face a daunting SEC schedule.