For most collegiate soccer teams, playing without key players can negatively affect the gameplan and season’s outcome, but the LSU soccer team is battling adversity to earn vital victories this season.
LSU coach Brian Lee said his team’s success without some of its starters is the direct result of his team’s preparation.
“It’s a team effort,” Lee said. “I think it’s indicative of the united effort of the group. Everybody’s on board by preparing themselves to be ready every game. All of the players are supporting each other really well on and off the field.”
LSU (9-4-3, 3-4-1 Southeastern Conference) is undefeated this season when playing without one of its starters. The Tigers proved capable of winning games without key players when they netted a goal minutes after sophomore striker Jorian Baucom left the game with an ankle injury against Marquette University on Sept. 20.
Before the game against the Golden Eagles, Baucom led the team and the SEC with eight goals. Her play up top made the Tigers one of the most offensively dynamic teams in the country.
Baucom said seeing her team find success on offense without her on the field showed what the Tigers team was capable of achieving.
“It just comes down to heart,” Baucom said. “Being able to see them play with a player down for at least ten minutes was incredible, especially because they were able to hold off Marquette on defense.”
Junior forward Summer Clarke also suffered an ankle injury when the Tigers lost to the University of Florida on Oct. 11. LSU found a way to defeat the University of Arkansas 1-0 in the following match without Clarke.
Clarke and Baucom are one of the premier forward duos in the SEC, but Baucom still managed to lead the team to victory without her offensive counterpart, scoring a goal in the 17th minute against the Razorbacks.
Lee said playing without Clarke or Baucom made his team focus on attacking as a team rather than individually.
“I think at times with Jorian and Summer we’ve been as dynamic as anybody in the country,” Lee said. “Whenever we missed one, we really had good quality across the board with team oriented attacks.”
On Sept. 13, the Tigers earned another victory against then-No.15 Duke University without one of their top defensive players, senior defender Alex Arlitt, who was suspended after receiving a red card in the previous game.
LSU rallied together to make up for what Baucom, Clarke and Arlitt bring to a team that’s looking to wrap up SEC play on a positive note before heading into the postseason.
Playing without the team’s leading goal scorers and defensive leader forced his team to become more defensive-oriented as well, Lee said.
“I think it was really key to be able to win without Arlitt and have to flip the switch to win without Jorian or Summer on a couple occasions,” Lee said. “That specifically has helped us become a better defensive team. We really focused on that side of the game.”
Clarke is still battling the ankle injury she suffered against the Gators, but Lee said he hopes to have her back to make his team more well-rounded late in the season.
“We’re anxiously awaiting Summer getting back so we can be firing on all cylinders going forward,” Lee said.