LSU soccer dropped its second home match of the season against Colgate University, 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the LSU Soccer Stadium.
Colgate (1-0-2, 0-0 Patriot League) entered Baton Rouge winless, coming off two-straight double overtime ties last weekend. The Raiders claimed their first win yesterday and doubled their scoring total from two to four after Sunday’s two goals.
In a second-consecutive home match, LSU (1-3-0, 0-0 Southeastern Conference) netted one goal, yet allowed two or more.
The Tigers came out aggressive, looking to get the ball down the field to their forwards, junior forward Jorian Baucom said. The Tigers earned multiple free kick opportunities in the sixth, 10th, and 24th minutes.
Colgate opened up scoring in the 39th minute, when junior midfielder Eliza Doll knocked in a free kick from outside the box, giving the Raiders a 1-0 advantage heading into the half.
LSU was rewarded when Baucom entered the box and earned herself a penalty kick opportunity.
“Our game plan from the jump is for our forwards to get wide, play through that and create chances,” Baucom said. “I took the line and worked my hardest to get into the box, and then I created a PK out of that.”
Baucom lined up for the penalty kick in the 67th minute, hit the equalizer and sent the ball just over the head of Colgate goalkeeper Kelly Chiavaro and into the net.
“I already know which way I’m going every time,” Baucom said. “I just stick with it, and I don’t look the keeper in the eye. I just finish the ball and hope it goes in.”
The tie did not last for long, when in the 74th minute Colgate freshman forward Abby Sotomayor scored off a centered pass from senior forward Ginny Whitman.
The Tigers had multiple opportunities in the last 10 minutes, frantically trying to tie the match.
“I thought the Colgate goalkeeper down the stretch made a couple big saves, real athletic moves,” said LSU coach Brian Lee. “Then we just missed some chances from in tight, they blocked a couple off the line.”
The Tigers’ comeback bid ultimately fell short.
“There’s a ton of positives, just the season’s short,” Lee said. “College soccer is more of a sprint than a marathon — 20 games in 60 days. We’ve got to turn around and get ready for a trip to Indiana.”
The Tigers’ next match is Friday, Sept. 2 against Indiana University at Indiana’s Bill Armstrong Stadium.