The Tiger soccer squad continues its month-long homestand tonight, as Florida International (2-2) invades the LSU Soccer Stadium.
The Panthers return six starters from last year’s Sun Belt championship unit and are favored to return to the NCAA Tournament this fall.
“We know they’re a threat,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “They have a great chance to win an improving league, and they know how to play with bigger schools.”
For the Tigers, a stout defense has led to consecutive wins following an unexpected week off due to Hurricane Isaac. LSU has allowed only four goals in six matches, but that hasn’t left the squad complacent.
Lee was upset with Stephen F. Austin’s lone goal in LSU’s 2-1 Tuesday night win, since the Tiger backline failed to challenge a soft free kick into the penalty box. North Carolina State scored a similar goal during its 2-1 win against LSU last week.
“Whether it’s in the midfield or near the net, we need to win more balls in the air,” said freshman forward Fernanda Piña, who is tied for the team lead in points alongside sophomore striker Kaley Blades with four.
The duo was responsible for both of LSU’s goals against SFA, but they’ll have to keep pace with a deep FIU offensive attack.
FIU sophomore Scarlett Montoya has already netted two goals and one assist, and Lee raved about Panther junior forward Chelsea Leiva, who has one goal and one assist.
“The frontline is going to be a lot to handle for us,” Lee said. “It’s all part of a flowing, passing style they have. Combine that with their experience, and it makes for a nice challenge.”
The Panthers opened the season with two wins by a combined tally of 6-1 but have since dropped two straight, including a 3-0 shellacking at No. 22 Florida last Sunday.
LSU hasn’t been quite as erratic, but the Tigers are nurturing four freshman starters.
According to Lee, midfielders Piña and Canadian newcomer Jade Kovacevic have added a freewheeling dimension to LSU’s offensive movement, preventing the Tigers from being shutout yet this fall.
But Lee said that inexperience - which also includes three new upperclassmen starters - has left LSU relatively disorganized, something he hopes will change with another match against an NCAA Tournament contender.
“Our team is still meshing together, figuring out what works,” Lee said. “There’s no doubt FIU is quality.
Especially early in the season, though, we’re still focusing on ourselves - how we communicate, how we pass, how we play.”
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]; Twitter: @AbshireTDR