As LSU fans awaited the next batch of football stars, the LSU soccer team signed a few of its own.Wednesday was also National Signing Day for NCAA soccer, and LSU coach Brian Lee added another international player to his 2009 team.Sophomore defender Allysha Chapman joined LSU after spending the 2008 season with the Canadian international team at the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup. Chapman is the second player the Tigers received from Canada, after learning sophomore midfielder Taryne Boudreau would rejoin the Tigers after attending the U-20 Women’s World Cup.”It all kind of starts with [Chapman] and Taryne Boudreau,” Lee said. “And then also Courtney Alexander who came here last year but couldn’t play because she transferred.”Alexander was the 2007 Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year.”Those are three All-SEC types coming in,” Lee said.With a roster that will lose 10 seniors after this season, the Tigers also signed a sizable freshman class, with five of seven signees coming from Louisiana. “It’s a big group in-state — in the time we’ve been here it’s probably the best crop with the best chance to earn playing time early,” Lee said. Among those vying for playing time is forward Reyna Lubin of LaPlace. Lubin helped the Carrollton Soccer Association to a club championship in 2007, and helped St. Charles Catholic High School to its first ever regional playoff appearance in 2008. During her high school career she scored 100 goals in addition to winning district titles in cross country and track.”Lubin is the most athletic player ever at LSU,” Lee said. “She’s strong and fast. She’s a good athlete with a good build.”Rounding out the Tigers class so far are Kelly Gautreaux and Tricia Johnson of Mandeville, Hannah Linzay of Cheneyville and Natalie Ieyoub of Lake Charles.The Tigers also signed Amy Jah of Arlington, Texas, and Amy Porter of Knoxville, Tenn.”This is our first class as a national name,” Lee said. “It’s always been a vision, but now we’re there, and girls are showing interest in us without us reaching out first.”—-Contact David Helman at [email protected]
Soccer: LSU adds five new players to roster
By David Helman
Sports Writer
Sports Writer
February 4, 2009