It’s do or die tonight for LSU Soccer.
LSU (8-7-4) is set to play a decisive final regular season game in LSU Soccer Stadium against Arkansas (9-8-1).
A win against the Razorbacks will decide whether the Tigers will qualify for the Southeastern Conference tournament, which begins Monday, Oct. 29 in Orange Beach, Ala. If the team does not qualify, it will be the first time the Tigers don’t reach the tournament since the 2006 season.
“We’re coming out for the win,” said senior forward Carli Banks. “We’re ready to go to the beach.”
LSU comes off a successful road weekend which included a 3-1 upset at No. 16 Missouri and a 3-2 comeback win at Ole Miss. Prior to last weekend, the Tigers hadn’t scored three goals in a game since a 3-0 win against Arkansas last season.
“This is our peak right now,” Banks said. “We’re on the up right now.”
The game against Arkansas will be the final regular season home game for the LSU seniors.
“It’s my last game playing in front of my home fans,” Banks said. “It’s the last game of the season, last game before the SEC tournament. This game really means a lot to me.”
Leading the Tigers in scoring are freshman forward/midfielder Fernanda Piña, sophomore midfielder Alex Arlitt and freshman forward/midfielder Jade Kovacevic. Arlitt leads the Tigers in goals with four scores, and Kovacevic leads in assists with five. Piña leads the total point board, tallying three goals and four assists.
Arkansas is on a three-game winning streak and has won four of its last five SEC games.
The Razorbacks have a number of players capable of scoring. Senior forward Allie Chandler and freshman forward Ashleigh Ellenwood are tied with four goals a piece. Tied at three goals are freshman forward Lindsey Mayo, sophomore forward Jeriann Okoro and senior midfielder Andrea Carlson.
Going into the match, the Tigers plan to keep the same momentum going that contributed to their success throughout the past weekend.
If LSU does that, Piña said the Tigers will win.
“It’s really important so we can make the trip to Orange Beach,” Piña said. “It’s a win to win or a win to win. There’s no option.”
Who: LSU vs. Arkansas
When: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: LSU Soccer Stadium
Listen at home: 91.1 KLSU
Freshman midfielder Tori Sample, 28, dribbles passed University of Florida senior defender Jo Dragotta, 14, Friday, Oct. 5, 2012 at the LSU Soccer Stadium. The Gators defeated the Tigers 2-0.
