The LSU soccer team concludes another regular-season title campaign with a road match tonight at Southeastern Conference cellar-dweller Arkansas.
The Tigers (12-6-1, 7-3 SEC) have already clinched a fourth SEC West title in five seasons, but need a victory against the struggling Razorbacks (4-13, 2-8) to have a chance at a share of the program’s first overall SEC championship.
An LSU win coupled with a Florida home victory against SEC leader South Carolina tonight would leave the Tigers tied with the Gators and Gamecocks for the conference crown.
LSU coach Brian Lee said his team needs to remain focused on the fast, stylish Razorback attack.
“There’s certainly some excitement that we still have a chance to accomplish an important goal for us. But we can only win this Arkansas game that we are playing,” Lee said. “Any SEC road trip is going to be a challenge.”
But Arkansas has been dismal since sweeping the Mississippi schools in the opening weekend of conference play, dropping eight consecutive matches by an average score of nearly two goals.
The Razorbacks’ offensive has been especially anemic, scoring just six goals in 10 conference matches.
Lee said Arkansas, which usually starts six or seven freshmen, has faced some growing pains similar to his own Tiger squad last fall.
“They’re very young and it’s rough when you have a lot of freshmen playing prominent roles.” Lee said. “Their first time through the SEC, as we saw with us last year, means taking some bruises. They’re still learning how to win.”
Even though Arkansas hasn’t won a match in nearly five weeks, Razorback Field has recently become a trap game for opposing teams. Arkansas took No. 13 Florida to overtime at home last Thursday and led for 76 minutes of the match.
Senior goalkeeper Mo Isom said the Tigers aren’t looking past Arkansas to potential postseason possibilities.
“When push comes to shove, we have to get this win to bring the SEC [title] goal into play,” she said. “We realize what’s on the line. Other things need to fall our way, but none of that will matter unless we’re ready and excited about taking the field.”
LSU has never lost to Arkansas under Lee, winning the last seven matches against the Razorbacks dating back to 2004.
While the Tigers have a chance to share the SEC title, they would need an extreme goal differential swing of nine between LSU and South Carolina to claim the No. 1 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament.
 
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