Only the top 12 of 16 teams make it to the SEC tournament. Now, halfway through the conference calendar, LSU soccer still has a hat in the ring, but barely.
After five matches, LSU is in the 10th and final qualifying position in the standings. The team had their fair share of triumphs and struggles with a 2-3-0 record heading into the next stage of conference play.
In the first three weeks, a lot happened. Here is an LSU mid-SEC play check-in, including the notable moments from the first five games and a preview of the next five.
What went right
The Tigers won two crucial back-to-back home games last week, which was needed after the loss to Arkansas in their SEC opener.
Against Ole Miss, they took over the pitch, dominating possession and tripling the Rebels in shots. This season, LSU has struggled to convert shots to goals, and it showed in this match.
Right before halftime, forward Andrea Iljkic sent her free kick into the goal, which became the sole point of the night. Her ability to make that moment count, and ultimately win the match, was a big victory for the team early in the conference.
Four days later, Oklahoma got a taste of what it is like to play LSU when they are at the top of their game.
Ava Galligan, Ida Hermannsdottir and Ava Amsden each made a goal in the 90 minutes. Galligan and Hermannsdottir made runs past all defenders and into the 18-yard box while Amsden, a freshman, got her first career goal from a penalty kick.
In a 3-1 victory over the Sooners, the match was a perfect example of taking full advantage of possession in the offense and not giving up scoring opportunities.
Defenders such as Jazmin Ferguson made it all possible, allowing only one goal with an almost unbreakable formation throughout the week.
These two matches proved LSU is not a team who belongs at the bottom, and had the potential to give their upcoming ranked opponents a real challenge.
What went wrong
Unfortunately, the next week took a painful turn for the Tigers with matchups against two teams in the United Soccer Coaches’ top 10.
In the top 10, Arkansas is ranked No. 1, a team LSU almost drawed in their first conference match on Sept. 19, but gave up one too many chances leading to a 1-0 loss. The tight match combined with the two home wins set spirits high for a tough week.
Like the Arkansas match, LSU held Mississippi State scoreless in the first half. With immense pressure on defense, goalkeeper Audur Scheving did everything to keep it even.
In the second half, the defense could not keep up and Mississippi’s Ally Perry scored twice within the 51st minute.
LSU’s offense was ineffective and was completely stumped by Mississippi’s back line. The Tigers could not keep possession, which showed in shots with 22 to Mississippi and one to LSU.
After a hard defeat, it only got harder for LSU. Auburn took almost all control of the Friday night match, which ended in a 4-0 shutout.
From a statistical perspective, this was their toughest loss yet. Similar to the Mississippi State game, LSU could find only four shots to Auburn’s 23.
A depleted defense let Auburn make plays into the 18 and left players close to the net unguarded. Its performance in this game will be a turning point for LSU, good or bad.
What’s next
Having played the top three ranked opponents already, the team should be well prepped for what’s to come.
This Thursday, Oct. 10, LSU will go head-to-head with their neighbor in the standings, No. 9 Kentucky. Both teams are tied with six conference points each.
The odds are close, Kentucky has taken more shots but LSU has more goals. Its defense is strong and has only allowed seven goals, one-third of the amount LSU has. Last season, Kentucky was responsible for knocking the Tigers out of the SEC tournament after overtime on penalty kicks.
LSU’s offense will have to step up as these closer matchups carry more weight in the final stages of SEC play.
On the following Sunday, Oct. 13, the Tigers will face-off in Baton Rouge against University of Texas.
Also in the United Soccer Coaches top 25, the Longhorns are No. 8 in the standings with a 2-2-1 record.
With similar game results to LSU, player differences and coaching will play a big role in the match.
Texas has two leading shooters in the SEC in Lexi Missimo and Amalia Villareal. Missimo is tied with LSU’s Hermannsdottir with seven goals a piece, and she will be one to watch come game time.
A well rounded group, their team has the most shots in the conference and eight shutouts this season.
The Tigers will have no room for error in what is destined to be another close matchup. Possession and offensive breakthroughs will be an important factor in finding the game-winning goal, as well as maintaining a solid midfield and back four.
With half of the calendar remaining, LSU still has plenty of time to fix itself into a safer position among the SEC top 10. Matches will grow in significance, as losses become heavier and wins become sweeter.
