LSU soccer failed to overcome a 2-0 first half deficit against the Gators and lost the match 4-0.
Florida showed aggression throughout the game on both sides of the ball. The Tigers didn’t have a single shot on goal all night, and the Gators offense had nine shots on target, showing their offensive authority.
When it comes to facing the Gators, LSU had something to prove.
The Tigers fell in the last two matchups in Gainesville, losing 4-0 back in 2021. LSU has never beaten Florida at home and the Gators own the series 2-21-2.
Prior to the game, Florida hadn’t won an SEC game. Head coach Sian Hudson pointed out that the team is still finding their identity under second year coach Samantha Bohon.
On the other hand, the Tigers have won two conference games and defeated a ranked Georgia team on the road. LSU had been on a hot streak going into this game and should’ve been able to contain the Gators.
“We just didn’t really show up tonight,” Hudson said. “Whether that is overconfidence from the last couple of results and feeling like we gained momentum and then just not doing the basics well tonight. Florida was the better team from start to finish.”
Offensive action started early in the game for both teams. Forward Sage Glover took a shot that bounced off the crossbar and barely went outside the line.
Glover was SEC Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for her performance against Georgia and Mississippi State. She scored the game-winning goals in both games.
The Gators responded to Glover’s crossbar shot as forward Megan Hinnenkamp drove towards the goal and took a shot. Goalkeeper Mollee Swift, however, was there for the save.
The scoring started off with a mental lapse from Swift, missing the ball and leaving the net open, leading to an easy, early Florida goal from forward Julianne Leskauskas.
Soon after, Hinnenkamp scored on a header off of a cross kick from defender Madison Young, which put the Gators up 2-0. Hinnenkamp leads Florida in goals with six.
Florida’s eight shots on goal to LSU’s zero is a credit to the Gators suffocating defense leading to good quality technique on the offensive side. The Tigers were held to only five shots in the first half.
“I thought they [Florida] were incredibly aggressive,” Hudson said. “Overall, they were just hungrier tonight and had a lot more desire to compete. I think in the forward line they pressed with a lot of intensity.”
The Tigers have yet to score in the first half of SEC play, with all of their goals coming in the second period.
In the 67th minute, defender Anna DeLeon scored on an assist from forward Maddy Pirrello.
Minutes later, Hinnenkamp recorded her second goal of the night off of a shot from outside the box to put the Gators up 4-0.
LSU Soccer looks to bounce back when the team travelsl to South Carolina to play the Gamecocks on Thursday, Oct. 5, before coming back to Baton Rouge to host the Tennessee Volunteers on Sunday, Oct. 8.
