In a game with only one goal scored, LSU soccer came up short to the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville.
It was the Tigers first match against an SEC opponent this season, and turned out to be a similar game to last year’s match between these two teams, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
The Tigers held the 2023 SEC runner-ups to a promising scoreless first half, but gave up a goal with 19 minutes left on the clock, losing out at a chance to upset undefeated Arkansas on their own turf.
Although a loss, the team played vigorously and gave Arkansas their most competitive match yet.
In non-conference play, LSU made a showing of their quick-footed and opportunistic offense, and on Thursday night, proved to be an equal threat on defense after denying Arkansas a goal in the first half. No other team has accomplished holding the Razorbacks to one goal this season.
LSU goalkeeper Audi Scheving made an impact with five saves in goal, which puts her at 22 saves in nine games.
After being outshot 8-3 in the first 45, the Tigers bounced back out of halftime and put up six shots to Arkansas’ four. Forward Amy Smith led the team in shots and put all three on goal.
With tensions rising and a frustrated Arkansas team, the match noticeably amped up in aggression with three yellow cards handed out in the second half and 27 fouls committed over the 90 minutes.
Arkansas claimed the first and last goal of the night, which LSU could not match by the time the final whistle was blown.
After completing their first of 10 conference games, the Tigers dropped to 13th in the SEC standings. Oklahoma, Georgia, Missouri and Ole Miss also lost their first conference matches.
LSU has a 5-3-1 game record and is officially 0-1 in conference.
The team will be back with a vengeance against Ole Miss on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in Baton Rouge for what is sure to be a tight match.
Having lost to Tennessee in their opener, the Rebels fell to 14th in the SEC standings with a season record of 5-5-0. Just like LSU, they will be seeking redemption, but the Tigers may have more to fight for.
All too familiarly, in 2023, LSU opened SEC play in Oxford, Mississippi with a 1-0 loss to Ole Miss. The lone goal was a result of a handball inside of the 18-yard box eventually ruled as a penalty kick for the Rebels.
LSU dominated the game statistically, with 22 shots to Ole Miss’ nine, but just could not make up the lost ground. The penalty kick concluded scoring for the night leaving the Tigers with a bitter taste in their mouth.
New to the 2024 squad, Scheving has yet to face a penalty kick in purple and gold. Although having saved plenty of shots inside of the 18-yard box this season, her A-game will be tested the further LSU ventures into SEC play.
Currently, the team’s bottom six standing does not qualify them for the SEC championship tournament. They will have nine games to climb their way back into the top 10–starting on Sunday. LSU will not only have the opportunity to improve their rank but to get even with Ole Miss.
With a long way to go in the journey to the SEC tournament, the Tigers must choose: sink or swim?
