The LSU soccer team made history Monday morning with its first national ranking during its 13 years of existence.
Soccer America Top 25 ranked LSU as No. 19, solidifying the Tigers as the top Southeastern Conference team in the poll.
The ranking follows LSU’s 3-0 shutout Friday against then-No. 6 Tennessee and a 1-1 draw Sunday against then-No.18 Georgia. The Tigers’ victory against Tennessee marks the first ever win against a top-10 opponent.
“We thought there was a chance we would crack the top 25, but those are things we don’t have control of,” coach Brian Lee said. “It’s really significant. It’s a positive step for the program.”
The SEC awarded sophomore forward Michelle Makasini with Offensive Player of the Week honors, as she led the Tigers with two goals Friday and one goal Sunday.
“This weekend, every single person played their best game ever,” Makasini said. “Luckily I was one of the ones that put in some goals.”
Makasini said she thinks LSU could enter the top 10 if the Tigers win their next four matches on the road.
The Tigers travel to Auburn on Friday, Alabama on Oct. 14, Vanderbilt on Oct. 19 and Kentucky on Oct. 21.
“We’ll show [the team] the rankings in the morning and kind of put them away,” Lee said. “Our kids well understand how important any SEC game is and how much parity is within the league. They have a great challenge Friday night against Auburn.”
Senior midfielder Caroline Vanderpool said although she was disappointed with her team’s performance in the draw against Georgia, she’s satisfied with the No. 19 ranking.
“We’re so much closer to winning the SEC and going to the NCAA tournament,” Vanderpool said. “After playing all these teams, we see that we’re one of the top teams in the nation, and we have nothing to be nervous about.”
Others within the athletic department took notice of the historic day for the soccer program.
LSU football coach Les Miles began his lunchtime press conference by recognizing the team and congratulating Lee.
“I got about five text messages after he did that,” Lee said. “He didn’t have to do that. It’s a big day for football. For him to mention us or to defer anything from football, it speaks volumes about him as a person.”
Miles said he knew there was “expert” coaching on the staff because his 4-year-old daughter Macy Grace improved her skills “tenfold” after participating in an LSU summer soccer camp.
—–Contact Amy Brittain [email protected]
LSU soccer ranks No. 19 in nation
October 8, 2007