The LSU soccer team is going through a complete makeover within its starting lineup.
The team lost its top scorers in former standouts, Summer Clarke and Jorian Baucom following the 2016 season. With that, the Tigers are relying on both veterans and newcomers to produce goals.
Various players off the bench and in the lineup have provided the depth needed in order to succeed.
“That’s something we really needed this year, depth off the bench and in our starting lineup,” senior Zoe Higgins said. “The freshman are playing a huge role in just helping bring talent and soccer smarts to the team and helping us to have a good season.”
In the season opening, The win against Mississippi Valley State University, the freshman class scored four of the overall five goals, but on Sunday’s game at Colgate, upperclassmen scored all three goals in the win.
“A lot of the young players have stepped forward and looked like they could contribute and the older kids have progressed so much,” coach Brian Lee said.
Lee explains that freshman Tinaya Alexander clearly changes the team when she is on the field and contributes to the pace and flow of the game. Alexander scored two goals with one assist against Mississippi Valley and had one assist against Colgate.
“She’s a high end player,” Lee said. “You don’t get a chance to coach that many kids along the line with that kind of special talent. She’s super coachable, supports her teammates. She’s just been a dream on and off the field. She had a nice starting point. She’s got great potential and I don’t think over the course of time there’s anything that could stop her from achieving it.”
Alexander isn’t the only player making strides in the lineup. Higgins and freshman Lucy Parker have contributed to both games this season. Higgins had two goals and one assist, while Parker had one goal and one assist.
The midfield, led by freshman Tiana Caffey, has worked relentlessly to feed the forwards, allowing Alexander, Higgins and Parker to make plays on the goal. Caffey has two assists in as many games.
Against Mississippi Valley State, the Tigers had a stunning 24 shots with 12 shots on goal and against Colgate, they had 17 shots with eight on goal.
The team came out this season with two wins against two strong opponents, but Higgins feels that the team has a lot more to give.
“I see us making big strides [going forward],” Higgins said. “This was just the start for us. I think by the start of SEC we’re going to be strong and ready to go and fight for a championship.”
