But not the Tigers, who open their season in a hostile environment tonight against a 1-0 Oklahoma squad in Norman, Ok.
The Sooners, led by new coach Matt Potter, are fresh off a 2-1 victory against rival Nebraska last Friday.
“It’s a good program that is being reinvigorated,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “The talent is there on the roster, so the excitement around their program will make it a tough opener.”
Talent isn’t an issue on LSU’s roster, but experience could be. The Tigers lost five seniors from last year’s Southeastern Conference Western Division champion unit.
All were starters, led by goalkeeper Mo Isom, leading scorer and All-SEC forward Taryne Boudreau and Natalie Martineau, who led the team in assists.
That experience didn’t help LSU away from home last season, as the Tigers compiled a 6-7 mark outside Baton Rouge — including a 2-4 non-conference road record.
But they did vanquish Oklahoma, 2-1, at home last season, and sophomore forward Kaley Blades said this year’s team is trying to block out the setting on the pitch.
“We’re a completely different team now, with a different mindset,” Blades said. “There won’t be any intimidation.”
The team may not be intimidated, but Lee said LSU has a healthy respect for a dangerous Sooner frontline, spurred by senior Caitlin Mooney and transfer senior Renae Cuellar, who scored both goals against the Cornhuskers last Friday.
“Between Mooney coming back and the new aspects of their team, it’s like facing a whole new team,” Lee said.
With Boudreau’s 12 goals gone, the Tigers are retooling their offensive style, emphasizing a free-flowing team push rather than individual creativity.
“We’re looking to get more goals on seven, eight, nine-pass combinations and set crosses,” Lee said. “A team dynamic is usually more effective, but it’s also aesthetically pleasing.”
Junior Megan Kinneman will reclaim the reigns in goal for LSU. Kinneman was an All-SEC Freshman performer in 2010, when she allowed just 10 goals in 14 starts.
But she struggled last year, allowing seven goals in five games and backing up Isom most of the season.
Lee said a defensive backfield led by sophomores Jodi Calloway and Alex
Arlitt should allow Kinneman to regain her freshman brilliance and slow the Sooners’ solid strikers.
“Early in the season, you worry about yourself more than the opponents,” Lee said. “They’re more than ready to kick the ball around against someone other than each other.”
