The LSU soccer team suffered its second straight Southeastern Conference loss, losing to the University of Mississippi, 2-0, on Sunday night.
Ole Miss (8-2-2) entered match fresh off a 3-2 win against the University of Alabama on Friday night, while LSU (7-3-2, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) dropped its second league game against No. 13 Auburn University on Friday night.
The Rebels came out looking to apply early pressure on a typically stout Tiger back line. Ole Miss earned a staggering nine corner kicks, to go along with nine shots while holding the LSU offense to one corner kick and two shots.
LSU coach Brian Lee said the team struggled to find a consistent flow all game.
“[Ole Miss] came out really fast,” Lee said. “We struggled to find any rhythm on the night going forward.”
Ole Miss’s early pressure was rewarded with a goal in the 17th minute after junior midfielder Gretchen Harknett looped a shot just under the crossbar from the top of the box, giving the Rebels an early 1-0 lead.
The LSU defense held the Rebels to one goal in the first half despite the copious amount of chances they created.
The Tigers came out in the second half tasked with finding the equalizer before the final whistle blew. Junior forward Summer Clarke stepped into her familiar role as the team’s facilitator early in the second half. Freshman defender Alex Thomas took advantage of a layoff pass from Clarke in the 51st minute but was unable to beat freshman Rebel keeper Marnie Merritt.
Sophomore forward Jorian Baucom entered the game with at least one goal in LSU’s last seven games, but she unable able to extend her streak. She saw her best chance in the 64th minute after Clarke beat a defender near the end line and fired a cross to Baucom, whose eight-yard header was stifled by the Rebels’ keeper.
Ole Miss tacked on another goal five minutes later, when the LSU defense failed to successfully clear a ball that was played in the from the left side of the field. Junior striker Addie Forbus launched a one-timer from just outside the box that made its way inside the left post for her eighth goal of the season.
For the first time all year, the Tigers were shut out on offense. It was also the first time LSU lost on a Sunday this season. The Tigers will be tasked with improving their SEC record when they take on Vanderbilt University at home Friday night.