The youth of the LSU soccer team may pay dividends in the future, but there are bound to be some growing pains in the process.
The Tigers showed flashes of poise but were undone by a pair of mental lapses in a 2-1 exhibition loss to Texas on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
LSU coach Brian Lee has the unenviable offseason task of replacing eight starters, a situation reflected in a starting lineup that included six freshmen as well as a transfer.
The team’s inexperience showed early as Texas repeatedly pressured the LSU back line in the opening minutes. Their persistence was rewarded in the sixth minute when Texas forward Gabby Zarnegar ran unmarked into the box and slotted the ball past junior goalkeeper Mo Isom.
The Tigers got a glimpse of the future, however, when freshman forward Addie Eggleston leveled the score in the 72nd minute, dribbling deep into the box before chipping past Texas goalkeeper Alexa Gaul. Eggleston also provided the Tigers’ best first-half scoring chance after running onto a through ball from junior midfielder Natalie Martineau. She failed to draw a foul after being taken down in the penalty area.
The level scoreline was short-lived. Texas midfielder Lucy Keith rifled a low shot past Isom just two minutes later to give the Longhorns the lead and provide the game’s final margin.
While the exhibition match won’t count in the standings, LSU will only be able to play 19 regular season matches rather than the maximum 20.
The Tigers open the 2010 season at home against South Alabama on August 22 before embarking on a four-game road trip.
—-Contact Ryan Ginn at [email protected].