Much like sophomore running back Leonard Fournette on the football field, sophomore forward Jorian Baucom rose to an elite status on the LSU soccer team in just her second year.
Baucom, the fourth-leading scorer in the NCAA and second-leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference, was one of the most heralded recruits in the country out of Scottsdale, Arizona, after an outstanding prep career and years of experience in the U.S Women’s National Team system.
Just as Fournette picked LSU over the University of Alabama, Baucom chose the Tigers over another national power that clamored for her services until the end of her recruitment.
“It came down to LSU and [The University of] North Carolina,” Baucom said.
The Tigers ultimately won Baucom’s signature over the University of North Carolina, which has 22 total NCAA Championships, the most of any school in the nation. The Tar Heels are currently ranked No. 1 in the country.
For Baucom, going to North Carolina would’ve made sense. A highly recruited player like her could benefit greatly from joining such a prestigious program, but Baucom saw a greater opportunity for herself at LSU.
“I wanted to make my own name and prove that I could enhance a program that wasn’t as developed,” Baucom said. “Everyone would [say to me], ‘Seriously? Do you know how many national titles North Carolina has won, and you’re going to LSU?’”
Baucom said she considered all four years of her collegiate career before picking the Tigers over the Tar Heels. With the rest of the talent already on the team and LSU coach Brian Lee and his staff recruiting her heavily, she saw a better situation for herself in Baton Rouge.
“You have to scout before-hand and consider the future,” Baucom said. “I could just see potential in us.”
It didn’t take long for the Tigers to feel Baucom’s presence on the field. In fact, it only took 48 seconds.
Less than one minute into her debut match against Troy University in 2014, Baucom scored the fastest goal to start a season in LSU history. It was a sign of what to come for the then-freshman, who was LSU’s leading goal scorer that season and earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference All-Freshman team.
Lee said getting Baucom in an LSU uniform was imperative for him and his staff and believes her commitment was the best possible outcome for both her and the team.
“We saw Jorian as the top forward in the country in her class,” Lee said. “When kids take a chance to really take a thorough look at their college choices, they take a really close look at the people on the team and the campus. We thought we were a great fit together.”
This year, Baucom took her game to the next level, and the Tigers are progressing with their star forward.
She has scored 11 goals in 13 games this year, surpassing her eight-goal total in 2014 with six regular season games still remaining. Baucom said she is more comfortable with the speed of the game and able to get up and down the field easier after training extensively in the offseason.
“The main thing that separates me from last year is my fitness level,” Baucom said. “Coming into my freshman year, I didn’t expect it to be that much faster, and I wasn’t where I had to be. All the hard work over the summer has paid off this season.”
LSU’s win total is rising along with Baucom’s goal count. The Tigers’ seven wins so far this year are already more than their win total in 2014, and led by Baucom, they’re legitimate contenders to qualify for both the SEC and NCAA tournaments this season.
Baucom’s teammates knew how talented she could be since the day she arrived, but they said what impressed them the most is her drive to improve, which was apparent after her freshman season.
“She’s matured a lot,” said senior midfielder Natalia Gomez-Junco. “She’s a better team player. Whenever she wants the ball, she gets the ball. And whenever she gets it going to the goal, she’s just a beast. She’s unstoppable.”
Just like Baucom is the key piece in LSU’s attacking half of the field, senior defender Alex Arlitt runs the LSU defense. She expected to play with Baucom for just one season but is on the pitch with her again after an extra year of eligibility via a medical redshirt.
“I remember we were trying really hard to get her to come here, and I thought I was only going to play with her for one year,” Arlitt said. “Now I’m still playing with her in my fifth year. I think it’s a blessing in disguise. She’s a huge part of our success for the rest of the rest of the season.”