LSU junior goalkeeper Megan Kinneman has big shoes to fill, quite literally.
This season, Kinneman has one of the most unenviable tasks in sports as she replaces a larger-than-life figure in former goalkeeper Mo Isom, one of the most famous female athletes in LSU history.
“We worked off each other really well, but I’m not trying to be her,” Kinneman said of the 6-foot tall Isom. “I couldn’t be. She’s too tall anyway.”
But Kinneman, all of 5-foot-4, has played like a giant on the field for LSU, allowing only five goals through seven matches and leading LSU to an early-season, four-game unbeaten streak.
The success is a welcome return to form for Kinneman, who is actually the smallest goalkeeper in the Southeastern Conference by two inches and stands five inches shorter than the league average.
The Missouri City, Texas native earned All-SEC freshman honors in 2010, as she replaced an injury-plagued Isom and surrendered just 10 goals in more than 1,300 minutes of action, including six shutouts.
LSU coach Brian Lee suddenly had a legitimate goalkeeper controversy entering last August’s fall camp.
Kinneman earned the initial starting nod, but a pair of early losses with her in goal, coupled with Isom’s stout senior form sent her back to the bench.
“She was trying to shake off an injury, and I think that limited Megan last year,” Lee said. “We were fortunate enough to have such a great 1A option, but it was frustrating for her because she is so competitive.”
There’s no competition for the job this fall. Firmly entrenched in goal for LSU, Kinneman ranks among the early statistical leaders in the NCAA across the board and has wowed viewers with several athletic saves.
In Monday’s 2-1 win against Memphis, Kinneman notched 10 saves, most in impressive fashion, as the Tigers claimed a crucial win in their final non-conference match.
“That match is up there with the best I’ve played,” she said. “There were so many different types of saves — leaping and diving and even a penalty kick — that I had to make.”
But LSU defenders say Kinneman’s biggest contribution won’t show up in any stat line.
“She’s our communicator,” said sophomore defender Jodi Calloway. “She’s our eyes because we can’t see the field in full. The way she lets us know where our assignments are, it’s loud.”
It’s a curious assessment, given Kinneman’s quiet nature. Whereas Isom was the team’s most vocal and outsized personality, Kinneman is admittedly soft spoken, more content to lose her voice on the pitch than in the pregame huddle.
“The personalities are like opposites,” Lee said. “Both are wonderful people. Megan’s a calming influence. When you’re running around like crazy on the field, it’s nice to have someone who keeps you even keeled.”
