The LSU soccer team’s postseason fate will be decided on the road as it heads into the end of the regular season.
The Tigers (7-3-3, 1-3-1 Southeastern Conference) have won one game away from their home field this season. Their only road win of the season came on Aug. 21, when they traveled to Pac-12 territory to take on the University of Oregon. LSU has six games left this season, half of which will be played away from the LSU Soccer Stadium.
The Tigers proved they had the talent to beat quality opponents away from home by defeating the Ducks, who only lost two home games since falling to the Tigers back in August. However, the Tigers were not able to recreate the same winning formula against rugged SEC hosts University of Alabama and Auburn University.
LSU is 6-0-3 at home and 1-3 on the road. LSU spent most of the preseason at home, finishing with a 5-0-2 record before starting SEC play. For most teams, playing on the road is a tough task, but SEC matches on the road can be especially daunting.
Traveling to some SEC schools for Sunday games can make for logistical nightmares. When the Tigers traveled to Oxford, Mississippi, to take on the University of Mississippi on Sept. 27, they were forced to lodge about an hour away from where the game was being held because of accommodations problems caused by a football game against Vanderbilt University the day before.
LSU coach Brian Lee said logistical problems are issues the team frequently deals with when on the road.
“SEC teams win at a significantly higher percentage when they’re at home,” Lee said. “A lot of times in our league, some of the cities are very difficult to get to. Getting to an away game on a Sunday, especially when they’ve got football on a Saturday, can really create some difficult travel logistics.”
SEC matches often come down to the wire, making the margin for error slim. LSU lost both of its conference road matches in double overtime. When the Tigers took on the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Sept. 11, they conceded a crushing Golden Goal in the 102nd minute of play to drop their first conference match of the season.
After the Tigers play the University of Missouri at home on Friday, they will travel to Gainesville, Florida, on Oct. 11 to take on the No. 12 University of Florida.
The Gators (8-3-1, 2-2-1 SEC) are 3-1-1 at home this season with their only loss coming to then-No.6 Texas A&M University on Sept. 10. If there’s any consolation to LSU’s rigorous schedule, it’s that it will face No. 9 University of South Carolina in Baton Rouge.
Lee said SEC opponents create a different atmosphere when they step on the pitch.
“SEC games have a little extra ‘oomf’ to them,” Lee said. “All of the teams are very hard working, and the student-athletes at all the schools put a great deal of effort into being ready for the game.”