LSU plays its first conference matchup against Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee, on Friday.
As the Tigers meet with the Commodores for a fourth time under head coach Sian Hudson, there’s weight carried beyond the game.
Vanderbilt will be a test measuring the team’s growth under Hudson as to how it can reset after early adversity and contend to be a nationally ranked team.
While LSU faced struggles against Utah Valley, the Tigers are leaving for Nashville with confidence following a road win against the University of Utah.
As of now, Hudson has a head-to-head record of 1-1-1 against the Commodores. Her first matchup was a loss, but the following 2022 and 2024 seasons saw a win and a draw for the Tigers.
Vanderbilt has a reputation for being a disciplined and defensively tough opponent in the SEC, but a win from the Tigers would undoubtedly prove the team’s growth in conference play and signal the progress that Hudson has brought to the team.
To prepare, she’s making some different approaches heading into Friday’s game.
“First and foremost is just the ability to stay organized behind the ball and make sure we’re a difficult unit to break down,” Hudson said.
She noted how Utah Valley capitalized on the Tigers’ disorganization in defensive solidarity and stressed the importance of having ball retention and possession against the Commodores.
As Vanderbilt is a team that is patient when in control of the ball, LSU will have to focus on both the game plan and controlled possession on its own end.
Even with her recognition of LSU’s poor performance against Utah Valley, Hudson also acknowledged the successful strides the team made defensively against the Utes on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Audur Scheving is among some of the key defensive players making an impact on the field.
“We played so good in the end of the first half against Utah, and I think if we believe in ourselves like then, we can play through [Vanderbilt],” Scheving said.
She mentioned the importance of trust in her defense and that composure and confidence will be key ingredients in defeating the Commodores.
As the backline works to balance consistency between both halves, the importance of communication and togetherness as a unit will be a crucial component in the outcome of Friday’s game.
LSU is also shaping up for conference play on the offensive front. Veteran forward Ida Hermannsdottir exhibited a positive outlook on the matchup with Vanderbilt.
“I feel like we have a lot of diversity for us technically, it’s been the best that I’ve seen in four years,” Hermannsdottir said. “We all work hard and want the same things.”
Hermannsdottir said she’s going into Nashville like it’s any other game. She believes that the team will be prepared for Vanderbilt by finishing scoring chances and continuing to play the way they did on Sunday.
With only one win against Vanderbilt in the past decade, LSU’s execution on Friday night will signal how Hudson can shift the team’s trajectory in a meaningful way.
Both the offense and defense have mentioned the importance of having confidence in the team as a whole and maintaining composure behind the ball. While the program prepares for this SEC opener, it must decide what kind of team it’s going to be for the remainder of the season.
For LSU, the Vanderbilt matchup is about mindset just as much as it is tactics. The team recognizes its flaws from past games, but is heading into conference play with tenacity.
For the Tigers, a win against the Commodores isn’t just a statistic, but an opportunity to reset as a group during a pivotal point in the season.
