LSU’s defense was nearly perfect on Thursday night, but one misstep led to a 1-0 loss to Arkansas.
The Razorbacks (8-7-1, 3-3-1 Southeastern Conference) came out to a quick start, when freshman forward Parker Goins scored off an unassisted touch inside the six-yard box in the ninth minute.
“I thought we went to sleep a little bit in the box on that loose ball,” LSU coach Brian Lee said. “Other than that, I thought for the game we played really well. These games are tight and we’ve got to get ourselves on the right side of some of these”
Arkansas dominated possession of the ball throughout the game, totaling seventeen shots and ten corner kicks, but LSU’s defense buckled down in the second half to keep the score close.
The Razorbacks had a chance to extend their lead in the 63rd minute, when a hand ball by senior Nicole Howard lead to a penalty kick.
Junior goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier blocked the penalty to notch her first save of the game, and went on to make five more saves in the second half.
“Overall, I trust my defenders and they trust me behind them,” Brockmeier said. “We have good relationships and I think trust is the best thing with the back line.”
LSU (8-4-2, 1-4-2 SEC) had multiple opportunities to equalize the game, but could not capitalize on their chances.
“We created a bunch of half chances, where the rhythm was good and around the corner we just can’t pull off the cross or the finish or the one particular moment,” Lee said.
LSU’s playmakers, freshman Tinaya Alexander and junior Alex Thomas, were held to a combined six total shots. Two chances early in the first half by Alexander were blocked and called for offsides.
“I don’t know if they were stopping us or if we were a step off on little combination plays,” Lee said. “I thought those two played quite well and the combination didn’t quite come off.”
This is only the third time the Tigers have been shutout this season.
“It’s a disappointing loss,” Brockmeier said. “We had some good chances. We moved the ball well, probably better than we have in any game. It’s disappointing, but we have another game on Sunday that we have to focus on.”
The Tigers return home on Sunday to take on the University of Central Florida at 12 p.m.