A packed house at the LSU Soccer Complex roared to life when sophomore defender Lucy Parker’s shot hit the back of the net to send the Tigers (13-6-4) to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for only the third time in program history.
After needing penalty kicks to advance twice in the SEC Tournament, the Tigers kept up their recent tradition by going to PK’s again in what can only be described as a lackluster 120 minutes of play in regulation and overtime.
Boston University (11-7-4) proved to be a worthy opponent for the Tigers, as their offense stayed aggressive throughout, finishing with 30 shots, and seven on goal.
The Terriers’ approach on the offensive side of the ball in the first half consisted of taking shots outside the box whenever given the opportunity, but a majority of those shots ended up being blocked or not on frame. The LSU defense stayed strong, keeping the ball in front of them and forcing the Terriers to take long shots.
“[Boston University’s] pressure on the ball was fantastic and their organization as a unit was really good as well,” said LSU coach Brian Lee.
The Tigers offense had a few decent chances in the first half, with one of the better chances coming in the 39th minute when freshman attacker Molly Thompson used her speed to dribble into the top-right side of the box and rip a shot to the far post. But the Terrier goalkeeper dove to her right and to make the save.
Just a few minutes later, the Tigers got a free kick from the middle-right of the field about 45 yards out, and sophomore defender Chiara Ritchie-Williams sent a nice ball into the box that sophomore utility player Lindsey Eaton chested down and flicked the ball with the back of her foot, but the Boston U keeper was right there to catch the shot.
Just before the end of the first half, the Tigers got a corner kick, and junior midfielder Marlena Cutura’s cross was a good one as Parker was able to get her head on it, but the Terrier goalkeeper was able to get a touch on the shot and clear the ball out of the box.
The second half proved to be about as eventful as the first, with the most action coming from Boston U, who put five shots on goal. But only one challenged senior goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier, who tied former Tiger keeper and current assistant coach Megan Kinneman for first on the all-time career saves list, at 284. Brockmeier also moved into sole possession of second place in career wins and shutouts in a single-season.
Neither team could break through with a goal, so the game was sent to overtime. In each of the 10-minute overtime periods, it seemed that both teams liked their chances in a penalty shootout, as not much pressure was applied on the defenses. Following 20 minutes of overtime, the game moved to penalty kicks, and what followed was truly unbelievable.
Boston U were the first to step up to the spot, and sophomore defender McKenna Kennedy stroked her shot to right side of the net.
Senior utility player Alex Thomas was up first for the Tigers, and while she hasn’t missed a penalty kick all season, the Terrier keeper was up for the task and saved Thomas’ shot.
Then, madness ensued.
Brockmeier was able to make four saves in a row, guessing the right way each time. It almost seemed inevitable when Brockmeier made the fourth save, as she had all the momentum in the world to that point.
“I read body language, I try to see where their going, if they open up or if they don’t,” Brockmeier said. “All in all, I’m just proud of my team and what we’ve accomplished.”
Unfortunately for LSU, the same could not be said for their penalty takers. The Tigers first three shots were either saved or not on frame, but freshman Abby Newton was able to break through for the Tigers first goal in the fourth round. Parker followed her in the fifth and calmly slotted her shot to the left side of the net sending LSU through to the second round of the NCAA Tournament where they will face USC.
When asked about what she felt after converting her penalty, Parker quickly responded “relief,” knowing that pressure of the game was off her shoulders, and she and the rest of her teammates could enjoy their performance.
“It was just a great feeling to turn around and see my teammates running up to me knowing we were advancing,” Parker said.
The Tigers will travel to Tallahassee to take on the USC Trojans on Nov. 16, with a start time of 1 p.m.