This past season, the LSU soccer team finished the season with a 1-0 victory against Arkansas, but the team was eliminated from Southeastern Conference Tournament contention because of Kentucky and Ole Miss victories.
LSU again closes its season against Arkansas (8-10-1, 1-8-1) Friday night in Fayetteville, Ark., but a little more is at stake this season as an LSU win would clinch the Tigers first SEC Western Division championship.
With a win and a South Carolina loss or tie, LSU can also clinch the fourth seed in next week’s SEC tournament, marking the first time the Tigers would be in the top half of the eight team field.
“We’re pleased to have our destiny in our own hands heading into Friday’s match,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee. “Now we’ve got to go and try to beat a very good Arkansas team. We really like the way they play and the style of soccer they try to play, and we expect a great effort from their team.”
LSU (10-3-6, 4-2-4) is coming off a 5-0 loss this past weekend against No. 23 Florida, marking just the second time in conference play that the high-powered Tiger offense was held without a goal for a game.
The Tigers are first in the SEC in goals scored this season with 39.
LSU has relied on a balanced scoring attack led by sophomore Rachel Yepez’s 12 goals and sophomore Malorie Rutledge’s 12 assists, both statistics that rank first in the SEC.
The Tiger offense also ranks first in the SEC in points with 115 and junior Roslyn Jones, sophomores Melissa Clarke, Michelle Makasini, Rutledge and freshman Taryne Bourdreau all have 10 or more points to keep opposing defenders in check.
“On any given night anyone can score and anyone can lead the team to victory,” Yepez said following the team’s 3-0 victory against No. 6 Tennessee on Oct 6. “Having that balance makes our team pretty tough to defend.”
Lee said the youth of his offense will be the strength of his team for years to come as he prepares to potentially lead the program toward its first NCAA Tournament birth.
“The high-end potential for this team is really high,” Lee said. “We are prepared to compete for SEC Championships and if you’re good enough to win the SEC Championships, then you’re good enough to make the Final Four’s, then you’re good enough to compete to win national championship.”
The Razorbacks have struggled recently, being shut-out in each of their past three matches, but Arkansas has played well against tougher competition this season, tying No. 6 Tennessee and dropping a 1-0 decision to No. 21 Georgia.
Lee said he expects Arkansas to play with pride, knowing it will be the last time their three seniors get to play collegiate soccer as Arkansas has not qualified for the SEC Tournament.
“We’re sure we’re going to get a great effort from their club with it being the last game of the season,” he said. “We expect nothing less than a full tilt battle tomorrow night that will go down to the last minute.”
——-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]