Head coach George Fotopoulos is more than aware there might be some second guessing.
With a chance to qualify for the Southeastern Conference tournament on the line Sunday afternoon against Arkansas, Fotopoulos said he still will continue to put the same starters on the field for tonight’s game against in-state rival University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Fotopoulos’ does risk getting one of his team leaders injured or ejected with his decision.
LSU (10-4-2, 2-3-2 SEC) will host ULL (6-7-3) tonight at 7 p.m. and then host the Razorbacks in an important game on Sunday at 2 p.m. If LSU is able to either tie or beat the Hogs, the Tigers will be able to pack their bags for the SEC Tournament in Oxford, Miss.
“As important as the game is on Sunday, to concede to ULL on Friday we’d be doing an injustice to our program,” Fotopoulos said. “[But] I hope to go deep into the bench.
“It’s very easy to say ‘coach you shouldn’t play your starters on Friday.’ I know my reserves can beat ULL. But we haven’t won a game in quite a while. ULL is a good team. It’s a catch 22.”
Throughout the Tigers’ current four-game winless streak, Fotopoulos has said the loss of senior midfielder Melissa Shelton to an ankle sprain has hurt his team. However, he said Shelton will be available this weekend, and midfielder Rachel Cohen is 100 percent for the game.
Shelton brings senior leadership to the field, said Fotopoulos.
“She’s not 100 percent but we’re going to play her,” Fotopoulos said of Shelton. “I’d rather have a 50 percent Mo Shelton than [be without her]. They are two very important people for our success. You’ve seen how we’ve done without them being 100 percent.”
LSU will try to qualify for the SEC Tournament for the second time in the three years Fotopoulos has directed the team.
Fotopoulos said each team has its own advantages heading into the important Sunday contest. Arkansas is 7-12 on the season and 3-5 in the SEC.
“Arkansas has a distinct advantage,” Fotopoulos said. “One, they aren’t playing Friday. Arkansas is one of the best soccer playing teams in conference. They have all the tools to come in here and give us a whipping. We might have an advantage, though, because it’s senior day and it will be emotional.”
But Fotopoulos is certain about one thing. He is proud of his team, who most of the conference wrote off before the season even began because of last season’s lack of success.
“For a team that was picked to finish last, we have a chance to make the tournament,” he said.