LSU soccer dropped its home opener of the 2016 season, losing to George Washington University, 3-1, Thursday night at LSU Soccer Stadium.
GWU (2-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10 Conference) entered Baton Rouge undefeated and doubled its scoring total this season. scored early and often with goals in the 11th, 48th, and 75th minute.
The Colonials allowed LSU (1-2, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) a handful of early goal opportunities. LSU squandered the chances as the Tigers’ passing attack was unsharp in the opening minutes, which the Colonials capitalized upon throughout the match.
GWU opened up the scoring with senior MacKenzie Cowley knocking in a deflected cross after Charley Prevost’s assist.
This was Cowley’s third goal of the Colonials campaign thus far, accounting for a 75 percent of her team’s goals as of Thursday night.
To LSU coach Brian Lee, the Tigers whiffed in communication as goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier dove on the cross leaving the goal wide open.
“Communication isn’t where it needs to be and when you play a team with good movement like [George Washington] if you don’t speak it’s going to make it tough defensively,” Lee said.
In the first half, the lack of communication was shown on offense with LSU having multiple opportunities squandered by offsides penalties and by a lack of ball movement.
LSU went into the half down 1-0 and could not muster a comeback.
In the 48th minute, GWU junior forward Brittany Cooper hit her first goal of two from roughly 25 yards out. After which, both sides, though, went quiet for much of the second half after LSU drew a surge of energy to begin the final half.
“We came out pretty strong in the second half, there’s a special shot, I don’t think Brock was expecting it, so the next thing you know we’re down 2-0,” said Lee.
GWU struck again in the 76th minute with Cooper scoring her second goal of the night, and season, on an assist from GWU freshman Olivia Di Cristofaro. The shot seemed to be a poor cross, but it snuck into the goal.
In the 85th minute LSU added to the scoreboard with junior forward Delaney Sheehan’s first career goal.
“I thought Daleny took it really well, nice dummy from Summer off the pass from Alex Thomas. To set her in for the goal,” said Lee.
LSU’s next home game is at noon on Sunday against Colgate University at LSU Soccer Stadium.
