As the LSU soccer team begins its final regular-season road trip tonight against Ole Miss in Oxford, Miss., it’s in an unfamiliar position.
The Tigers (6-7-4, 2-6-2 SEC) are currently on the outside looking in for one of 10 spots into the Southeastern Conference Tournament, which LSU has qualified for in each of the previous five seasons.
“We have certainly reshaped our team goals for the year,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “If we make the SEC Tournament at this point, that’s certainly an accomplishment. It’ll probably take winning at least two of our last three matches.”
The Rebels (12-5, 5-5 SEC) don’t figure to be a welcoming host for a quick turnaround.
Ole Miss has won its last three matches and boasts a 7-2 mark at home this season.
But the series’ recent history suggests LSU won’t be an easy out.
The Tigers have a four-game unbeaten streak against the Rebels, including a 3-2 comeback win last year at home.
That offensive burst was an oddity in the annual divisional matchup, as LSU and Ole Miss played to scoreless ties in 2009 and 2010.
“LSU and Ole Miss has always been a bit of a rivalry,” Lee said. “When I got to LSU [in 2005], [Ole Miss was] the top team in the SEC West. They were the hurdle we needed to climb then, and it’s no different [tonight].”
Even with standout junior goalkeeper Megan Kinneman — who has allowed 1.1 goals per game this fall — guarding the net for LSU, keeping the Rebels off the sheet will be a tall order.
Ole Miss has tallied the second-most goals in the league with 38 in 17 games and features two double-digit goal scorers on its frontline.
Sophomore striker Rafaelle Souza leads the SEC with 11 goals, and junior striker Mandy McCall isn’t far behind, netting 10 of her own.
“You can just look at the stats for those two players, but they’re a solid team from midfield right through the net,” Lee said. “Once they get you reeling, it’s a tough, organized attack to handle.”
LSU was accustomed to such prolific scoring last fall, when All-SEC striker Taryne Boudreau roamed the pitch, but this season has been a different story.
With six freshmen playing significant minutes, the Tigers have scrambled to find the net, especially on the road.
Six goals in regulation during five road games have led to just one conference road win for the Tigers.
After facing the Rebels tonight, LSU will travel to Columbia, Mo., on Sunday afternoon for its inaugural league matchup with No. 16 Missouri.
‘We have certainly reshaped our team goals for the year.’
