As senior Taryne Boudreau goes, so goes the LSU offense.
At least that’s the way it seems for the Tiger soccer squad this season, as Boudreau’s seven goals in the last seven matches have led to a 6-0-1 stretch for LSU after a 1-3 start to 2011.
The Alberta, Canada, native was named the Southeastern Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Monday and was named to the Soccer America Women’s National Team of the Week on Wednesday after leading LSU to wins against Oklahoma, Mississippi State and Ole Miss last week and tallying five goals.
Boudreau’s five scores accounted for half the team’s 10 goals in those three games — which was one more than it had totaled in the first eight games combined.
She also scored the game-winning goal, her second of the match, in the 86th minute of a crucial conference showdown with the division rival Rebels on Sunday.
Boudreau began the season as a midfielder, but LSU coach Brian Lee gradually moved her toward the forward spot in recent weeks, and the senior’s offensive spurt has rewarded Lee’s formation change.
“We’re playing her higher up the field, trying to get her closer to the goal,” Lee said. “She’s progressed a lot with her scoring, and I think our team’s [success] has followed a lot from create.”
Lee said the senior’s biggest asset has been her ability to score in the clutch.
“The special attribute every coach is looking for is someone who scores goals when your team needs them the most,” he said. “So her winner against Ole Miss, and that brilliant Oregon goal on the [renovated] stadium’s opening night, those moments show her character. It takes a totally different ability in the clutch. She’s got that