LSU (7-9, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) is set to meet Auburn (11-4, 7-1 SEC) Thursday night at 6 p.m. at LSU Soccer Stadium, eyeing the continuation of a win streak after its latest victory against Mississippi State last Friday.
LSU is looking to push its winning streak to two against Auburn in a game that is nearly a must-win — LSU is 11th in the SEC, and the top ten teams make the conference tournament.
Auburn is in a much more comfortable place as winners of six-straight matches since its Sept. 18 loss against South Carolina.
LSU has lost five consecutive regular season matches against Auburn. The Tigers have met each other in spring exhibition games, which Auburn won.
“[Auburn] is a team we’re really familiar with due to the proximity of a good, quality program,” LSU coach Brian Lee said. “They’re a natural, and we have a good relationship with the coaching staff, primary reason being quality opponent.”
LSU knows it must be more defensive against a team like Auburn.
“We have to be more defensive-oriented against Auburn, but we also have to do that against everyone,” Lee said.
Auburn has scored 16 goals during its winning streak, proving Lee’s point of a defensive focus against a team of Auburn’s caliber.
LSU must also be more aggressive on offense, he said.
“We’re creating chances [but] we’re not cashing in,” Lee said. “We need to be a little more aggressive. We’re creating the chances we just need to convert.”
If LSU can finish with a win, its position in the SEC standings will move in most scenarios. In SEC matches, winners receive three points and losers zero. Each team gets one point in the case of a tie.
LSU is a point behind No. 10 Texas A&M. If the Aggies and LSU win, A&M will remain at No. 10 and LSU in 11th.