Winning records are overrated.
The LSU soccer team has a 3-4-3 record in the Southeastern Conference but can make the SEC tournament and potentially win the SEC Western Division if they defeat Arkansas (5-10-3, 2-6-2) at home Friday.
Junior midfielder Natalie Martineau said she’s pleased the Tigers (6-8-4, 3-4-3) have the opportunity to make the tournament but wishes they were more comfortable going into their final regular season match.
“This definitely shouldn’t have been the most important game,” Martineau said. “We should have been more secure by now.”
Scoring goals has been an issue for the Tigers, who have been shutout in 10 of 18 games this season. But LSU has let loose on occasion.
The Tigers, who were shutout in their last two games, scored eight goals in their home opener against South Alabama and six goals against Mississippi State on Oct. 17.
“Whenever we finally break through, I feel like the goals are going to come in bunches,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “The kids are putting themselves in really good spots, and we’re just missing when we get there.”
LSU freshman goalkeeper Megan Kinneman said the magnitude of Friday’s game is immeasurable and can be a huge momentum shift if they make the tournament.
“If we come out and play great on Friday and get a big win, it’s pretty much like a fresh start,” she said. “We can come out and kind of turn the season around.”
If the Tigers win and Auburn loses, LSU will win the SEC Western Division.
“We’re interested in getting into the SEC tournament,” Kinneman said. “Of course it would be nice to win the West, but that’s our first goal right now.”
The Razorbacks are in fifth place in the SEC West, and it is unlikely they will make the SEC tournament. But their firepower is undeniable.
Arkansas managed goals against South Carolina and Florida, the SEC’s top two teams, and scored a combined eight goals the previous weekend against Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
“Arkansas is really dynamic,” Lee said. “They’re probably the second- or third-leading scoring team in the SEC in SEC games, so we’ve got to make sure we’re conscientious about our end of the field.”
Martineau said the Tigers risk coming out flat if they think they’re playing a subpar team.
“We have to think that we’re playing Florida or UNC,” she said. “We can’t just settle.”
 
 
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]