The LSU soccer team outscored opponents 21-3 in its first five games, causing coach Brian Lee to say this year’s offense was the most explosive he has coached at LSU.
This weekend, Lee saw the best of both worlds in a 0-0 tie against Houston and a 5-0 victory against McNeese State.
LSU dominated the pace of Sunday’s match throughout but was unable to score and clinch a victory in the 110 minutes played.
LSU outshot the Cougars 25-2 in regulation and 32-3 for the game, but the Tigers’ shots were unable to reach the back of the net thanks in part to Houston junior goalkeeper Shelby Scott’s 11 saves.
The Tigers (5-0-1) continued to control the ball with several shots from sophomore Rachel Yepez and sophomore Melissa Clarke going wide of the target in the first overtime.
Yepez continued to be aggressive on the offensive side for LSU, firing a team-high four shots on goal.
The Cougars started early in the second overtime, recording one of their three shots for the game in the third minute, but senior goalkeeper Valerie Vogler saved it to record her second shutout of the weekend for LSU.
Houston coach Susan Bush said she is proud her team was able to produce a tie against the Tigers.
“It’s a great result for us against one of the top teams in the country,” Bush said in a news release. “I have a lot of respect for LSU and [Lee].”
LSU sophomores Malorie Rutledge and Chelsea Potts and junior Roslyn Jones each played 99 minutes for the Tigers.
With the tie, LSU’s unbeaten streak is now eight games dating back to this past season. The 5-0-1 start is the team’s best start since 2003, when the Tigers were also 5-0-1, but finished the season 10-10-1.
Throughout Lee’s career, he has emphasized how important fan support would be to the Tigers’ success.
During Friday night’s 5-0 victory against McNeese State, Lee got his wish as a record crowd of 2,160 fans packed the LSU Soccer Complex, shattering the previous record set earlier this season of 1,868.
“We feel like soccer is really catching on, and it’s a great environment,” Lee said. “I said it the first two home games, and I say it again tonight, [the fans] are worth a goal. So if we’re spotted a one-goal lead, then we like our chances to win here.”
Yepez continued a torrid scoring pace for LSU, scoring two first-half goals. The goals were 41 seconds apart and were both scored in the 23rd minute to counter a slow offensive start for the Tigers.
“We had a little bit of a natural letdown with some big games on the horizon and coming off a big weekend,” Lee said. “And we were just a little out of it and weren’t ready for the opening kickoff.”
Yepez now has a Southeastern Conference-high six goals thus far this season – after scoring five goals all of last season – including a hat-trick against Memphis on Sept. 6.
“I think last weekend helped build my confidence up a whole lot,” Yepez said. “I’ve just got to keep doing what I have been [doing], because it’s working.”
Sophomores Veronica Godbolt and Rutledge, along with Jones added second half goals to put the Cowgirls away.
Freshman Taryne Boudreau tied an LSU single-game record with three assists in the victory.
LSU returns to action Tuesday when the team travels to Austin to take on Texas.
—-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]