The LSU soccer team returns to action today at 7 p.m. in Thibodaux against Nicholls State after a tough weekend in Alabama where they lost to Auburn and Alabama. LSU (9-7-1, 2-6 Southeastern Conference) currently is on a three-game losing streak but hopes it continues to fare well against in-state opponents.
Since George Fotopoulos became the soccer coach, the Tigers are 17-0-2 against in-state competition.
“It is an in-state game,” said senior forward Rachel Cohen. “We take pride in those games and we do like to win all of them.”
Fotopoulos said in-state foes are always tough to play because they are out to prove something against the flagship school.
“This is going to be a big match for our team because we are playing a team from within the state and they are going to want this game bad,” Fotopoulos said.
LSU has never allowed Nicholls to score a goal and holds a 4-0 advantage over the Colonels. Last season, the Tigers won handily, 9-0, in Baton Rouge.
Despite that dominance, senior midfielder Jen deHay said the game will be a challenge.
“We can’t take them too lightly,” deHay said. “Nicholls has given us trouble in the past. Getting that first or second goal will be difficult, but once we get that, it will be like opening up the flood gates.”
The Tigers have little to play for as they were eliminated from postseason contention after their losses this past weekend.
“We’re coming off a three-game losing streak,” deHay said. “The only thing we have to play for is pride. Hopefully that is enough. I think we’ll focus and play the game hard.”
Cohen said the seniors have extra motivation and expects them to play hard to ensure the Tigers fare well in the last three games.
“Since the seniors only have three more games, we want to go out on a positive note,” Cohen said. “We ended our sophomore year on a six-game losing streak and we don’t want to do that again.”
Freshman defender Ashleigh Gunning said it is important for the Tigers’ future that they regroup and go into next season on a positive note.
“We’ve had a rough time the past couple of weeks,” Gunning said. “Every game is important. We have to come together as a team. That’s the most important thing. These last few games are very important. Starting right now is when we begin preparing for next year … anything that will help us prove that we are a good team for next year.”