The LSU soccer team didn’t need Friday’s gigantic crowd to secure its first Southeastern Conference win.
After 1,982 fans watched the Tigers tie Alabama, 0-0, on Friday, 566 fans saw LSU (4-5-3, 1-1-2) win, 2-1, against Auburn (8-4-0, 2-2-0) on Sunday.
A barrage of Auburn shots were turned aside in the final 10 minutes by freshman goalkeeper Megan Kinneman, as she dove and punched a ball out with less than 10 seconds remaining to cap the win.
“It’s crazy because the ball’s coming in, bouncing in off of people, but you still have to stay organized and focused and make sure you make the save,” she said.
LSU scored multiple goals for the first time in four games. Junior defender Kellie Murphy headed in her first goal of the season off a corner kick from junior defender Taryne Boudreau to put the Tigers up, 1-0.
“I’ve just been waiting for it,” Murphy said. “We’ve been working on those corners, and they hadn’t been coming.”
LSU took a 2-0 lead when freshman forward Addie Eggleston tipped a nifty pass to junior midfielder Natalie Martineau who took a step and scored inside the penalty box.
Lee said he hopes he can get Martineau more scoring opportunities in the future.
“Her timing coming out of midfield is so good, and she’s worked so hard, and we just keep missing her,” Lee said. “Finally we had a nice little combination to get her free.”
Auburn cut the lead in half, 2-1, with a penalty kick goal in the 60th minute after a handball in the box.
The ball was in LSU territory for the majority of the last 20 minutes, and Auburn outshot the Tigers, 10-4, in the second half.
But Kinneman turned aside every Auburn opportunity as the Tigers continued their 14-game unbeaten streak at home.
“If you spend any time at all with Megan you start to learn about her composure and her maturity,” Lee said. “It has nothing to do with soccer, it’s just the way she operates her life.”
Kinneman only had to save four shots in front of the fourth largest crowd in LSU history to secure a shutout in a 0-0 tie against Alabama on Friday.
LSU’s “Cram the Complex” campaign brought in 1,982 fans as ticket prices dropped to $1 and students were awarded priority points.
Alabama (8-2-1, 3-0-1) was yellow-carded three times in the match, including one for Crimson Tide coach Todd Bramble.
With the physicality came injuries. LSU freshman defender Shannon McLain hurt her ankle and was on crutches at halftime, while Alabama junior defender Carly Mygrants left the game with what appeared to be a knee injury.
Lee said McLain injured the same ankle she had previously hurt.
“She was just a little late to the tackle,” Lee said. “Some of our younger people just have to get in the weight room, get stronger and understand if you come in soft you end up on the wrong end.”
The Tigers controlled play for the majority of the game, outshooting Alabama, 16-7.
Eggleston finished with three shots on goal. Her best opportunity came with six minutes left in regulation when her sliding left-footed shot in the box was turned aside by diving Alabama goalkeeper junior Justine Bernier.
“I thought they were going in,” Eggleston said. “Then I looked up and the goalie had it in her hand. They were good chances.”
LSU junior goalkeeper Mo Isom was held out of both weekend games with what Lee called an Achilles injury. She was wearing a walking boot on the sideline of both games.
“She did something to her foot [Thursday] in practice,” Lee said. “We’re not sure what it is, but she could have played.”