Despite a subpar 2-3 start to the season on a five-game road trip, the LSU soccer team has a reason to be optimistic.
The Tigers return home to a newly-renovated stadium and will christen the new confines by hosting the LSU Invitational this weekend, as LSU welcomes NCAA-regional caliber competition in Oregon, No. 20 Illinois (5-1) and No. 13 Pepperdine (5-0-1) for Friday and Sunday doubleheaders.
Much like the football team last weekend, LSU will take on the unbeaten Oregon (4-0-1) Friday night at 7:30 p.m. following an Illinois-Pepperdine matinee. Illinois will then face Oregon on Sunday morning, followed by an LSU showdown with Pepperdine to conclude the stadium’s debut weekend.
The Ducks present a tough opponent for LSU’s first match in the new digs, as Oregon has yet to give up a goal in its five matches.
With that defensive prowess, LSU will likely need to improve on its early-season scoring woes. The Tigers have managed just six goals through five games and have been shut out twice in the last three matches.
Following a 2-1 victory against Houston on Tuesday night, LSU coach Brian Lee said his Tigers are close to breaking through on the goal-scoring front.
“We’re constantly getting those chances near the net, moving the ball well and creating good looks,” he said. “We’re so close to breaking games open.”
Senior Mo Isom got the start in the Houston match, giving up only one goal as she continues to battle sophomore Megan Kinneman for the starting job.
According to Lee, the team is looking forward to the challenge of facing a ranked foe and an unbeaten squad following its own early struggles.
“We’re excited about the quality of competition joining us this weekend as we begin a new era,” Lee said in a news release. “Our fans and players will have an opportunity to enjoy an NCAA regional atmosphere.”
During the offseason, a comprehensive renovation — at an estimated cost of $1.6 million — doubled the stadium’s capacity to 2,200 seats, added a brick facade to the seating structure and overhauled the restrooms, press box and concession stands.
“Big picture, with this beautiful new place, there’s only one chance to come to the first game ever,” Lee said last month. “We’re always hoping for a sellout, but especially to break in this great new home stadium. We already felt we had one of the best home advantages in the country, and now we have a stadium to match.”
Along with the soccer matches, fireworks before and after the Friday games and a dedication ceremony featuring Lee and Isom, a team captain and face of the program for the last three years, will celebrate the redone venue’s first action.
 
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Contact Chris Abshire at [email protected]