The LSU soccer team will do something this weekend it’s not accustomed to.
For the first time this season, the Tigers play both weekend opponents at home, as they welcome Alabama (7-2, 2-0) and Auburn (7-3, 1-1) to Baton Rouge for their Southeastern Conference home-opening weekend.
“They’re both going to be top-40 teams in the RPI when it comes out next week, so it’s two quality opponents,” said LSU coach Brian Lee.
The Tigers (3-5-2, 0-1-1) have played only three of their 10 games at home this season and are 3-0 in those games.
“We just haven’t played that many home games yet,” Lee said. “We’ll see how it affects us.”
LSU is undefeated against Alabama and Auburn the last two seasons, but the Tigers haven’t won consecutive games yet this season.
Lee said LSU has an opportunity to take grasp of its division with home wins this weekend.
“It’s two big games in the race for the SEC West,” Lee said. “You’ve got to win your home games.”
Junior goalie Mo Isom said starting a streak at home against the Tigers’ first SEC West opponents of the season wouldn’t be a bad place to start.
“It’s extremely hard for us to lose at home simply because of the fan environment,” Isom said. “It’s going to be nice to be settled in and sleep in our own beds the night before.”
The Tigers play the Crimson Tide on Friday. Alabama has won four straight games, including victories against SEC opponents Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
Alabama coach Todd Bramble is in his third season in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Bramble immediately made a difference for the Crimson Tide in his first season, making it to the SEC tournament for the first time since 2004.
“I know they have a good coach that they’ve had over there for a few years now,” Isom said. “I think they’re finally getting into a rhythm.”
Isom said she expects it to be a “pretty even battle” Friday night against Alabama.
“They’re a team you could sort of overlook before, but this season not so much,” Isom said. “They are a pretty powerful team this year.”
Lee said fans will get rowdy any time Alabama plays LSU, and he expects a tough environment for the Crimson Tide this weekend.
“Friday nights tend to be pretty electric around here,” he said.
Freshman goalkeeper Megan Kinneman and Isom have rotated weekend games the last three weekends, and Lee said he hasn’t decided who will start against Alabama or Auburn.
LSU plays Auburn at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Isom said both teams have a similar style of attack and formations.
“Auburn’s always just a rivalry that’s been there,” Isom said. “They’re a quality team.”
Lee said his freshman-laden team is growing accustomed to each other on the field at the right time of the year shortly into the SEC season.
“Roles are being established,” Lee said. “People are kind of playing their way into certain positions. We’re finally starting to settle a little bit.”
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Contact Rowan Kavner at [email protected]