LSU junior forward Summer Clarke and sophomore forward Jorian Baucom formed a deadly attacking combination for the LSU soccer team, scoring 12 of the team’s 16 goals this season, putting the rest of the Southeastern Conference on notice.
In their first year together in 2014, Baucom and Clarke were LSU’s top-two goal scorers, combining for 15 goals and 8 assists and flashing their potential. However, it didn’t result in wins as the Tigers went 5-13-2.
This year, that potential has come into fruition. Not only is the duo on pace to smash its individual totals from 2014, but efforts are finally translating into wins for the Tigers.
LSU has matched their win total from last season at 5-1-2 on the year. Baucom and Clarke are responsible for all of LSU’s goals in their last three games, a 2-1 stretch for the Tigers.
LSU coach Brian Lee said he has enjoyed watching their relationship on the field grow. He also said they have done a good job working with each other following their first season, and the results are clearly visible.
“On the field, they really balance each other out, and they’re a nice pair up front.” Lee said. “The personalities of how they play really fit in extremely well together. It’s limited to how much you can develop a playing relationship in that first year together. The next nine months is what’s really important. Over the course of time, they’ve developed a nice playing
relationship.”
Baucom is the leading scorer on the team, already matching her eight-goal total from her freshman year. She is the leading scorer in the Southeastern Conference headed into this week and trails only Boston College junior forward McKenzie Meehan for the national goal-scoring lead.
Baucom was recognized for her efforts by being named SEC Offensive Player of the Week this past Monday. Although it was Baucom who received the award, she credited Clarke and said it wouldn’t have been possible without her fellow
forward.
“I say this all the time,” Baucom said “I credit Summer for everything. She’s one of the main reasons I am the player that I am. Coming into this year, she’s helped me with my defensive game, my mental game and I think she’s one the my favorite players that I’ve had the pleasure playing with up top.”
Clarke said Lee told her she would have to shoulder the offensive load for LSU, beginning with her freshman year in 2013, and Clarke obliged, leading LSU in goals with 10 and earning SEC All-Freshman honors. However, Clarke’s stellar play wasn’t resulting in wins, and LSU failed to put together a winning season during her first two seasons in Baton Rouge.
With Baucom’s recruitment, Lee now has two forwards on the team who are capable of leading the offensive charge, controlling possession near midfield and sprinting back to the defensive side of the field when necessary.
Clarke was just getting to know Baucom on the pitch last year. But this year they learned to complement each other’s games, and LSU is reaping the benefits in the win column.
“Coming in as a freshman, I felt there was a lot riding on my shoulders,” Clarke said. “It’s been nice to have someone like Jorian to share that load with. I go into games so much more comfortable knowing I’m playing with her [as opposed to] playing up top by myself.”
Baucom visibly struggled with her in-game conditioning in 2014 but is getting up and down the field much easier this season.
This year, she said she is not as tired throughout games, resulting in more second-half goals. She has put in three game-winning goals for LSU this year, the second most in the SEC.
Baucom credited her fellow forward for pushing her in the offseason and helping her establish her improved physical shape.
“One of the hardest things coming into last year was my fitness and defending,” Baucom said. “Summer was always pushing me to improve that because it would make us better this season. Without Summer’s leadership and communication with me, we would still be at square one like my freshman year.”
They believe they compose one of the best forward combinations in the nation and said they are looking forward to leading LSU back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Along with their stats, Baucom and Clarke’s confidence is expanding as the season goes on.
“Looking at all the other forwards, not only in the SEC, but all the other conferences, I feel like nobody has the chemistry me and Summer have,” Baucom said. “With her speed and my athleticism, we work so well together. Usually one forward has speed and athleticism, and the other one always has to step up, but we’re both capable of being all over the field and still leading the offense to score goals.”
