The LSU soccer team already had one of the best home-field advantages in the country.
From 2007 to 2010, the team posted a 25-5-5 record in the old version of the LSU stadium, which LSU coach Brian Lee affectionately called a “bandbox.”
Enter this season’s sparkling renovations to the complex, which included doubling seating capacity from approximately 1,100 to 2,197, adding a permanent brick facade to support a new press box and overhauling the restrooms and concessions stands.
But one thing the renovations did not change is the Tigers’ success in the stadium, as LSU posted a win and a draw against two previously unbeaten foes in Oregon and No. 13 Pepperdine, respectively, during the LSU Invitational this weekend.
After a fireworks display and dedication speeches from Lee and senior goalkeeper Mo Isom before Friday night’s home opener against Oregon, LSU broke in the new confines with a thrilling 1-0 victory in front of a record crowd of 2,542.
Isom credited the LSU fans with continuing to create a raucous environment for opposing teams.
“No crowd beats the LSU fans,” she said. “There is no team that can come here and escape the friendly harassment of our student section. I find myself laughing on the field at the signs they come up with and the energy they bring. It had to have affected Oregon. [Friday night] was the most fun I’ve ever had playing at happening.”
Senior midfielder Natalie Martineau said the new facility has created an added motivation for all the players.
“Having the chance to play in an environment like this, it just makes you want to work harder for the people who donated the money, for this school and everybody who made this place possible,” Martineau said.
Lee said the renovations marked the next step for his burgeoning program, which took a slight step back with an 8-8-5 record last season after winning three straight SEC Western division titles from 2007 to 2009.
“This is the big time,” the seventh-year coach said. “To have this support behind the program from our administration, it’s tremendous. Our recruiting could really take off because, I mean, how could you not love to play in this stadium?”
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]