There is a popular saying that reads “all good things must come to an end.”
For LSU soccer, who was on a hot streak and defeated Ole Miss and Oklahoma, this statement reigned true as it dropped Sunday’s match to Mississippi State, losing 2-0 on the road in Starkville.
For Mississippi State, it continues the soccer season with an overall 9-1 record and remains undefeated in the Southeastern Conference with a 3-0-0 record. The Bulldogs are now ranked No. 2 in the SEC.
With the loss, the Tigers are now 2-2-0 in the SEC, due to the team not being able to get its rhythm going until late into the game, and Mississippi State was too far ahead to catch up to by that point.
The Bulldogs’ relentless offensive pressure and strong defense was on top of its game last night. Mississippi State only allowed LSU one shot, whereas the Bulldogs had 22 shot attempts and nine on goal.
The Tigers had shot attempts that high against Ole Miss last week where they won 2-0, but against Oklahoma they only had six attempted shots. Both of the past games resulted in wins, unlike this one.
Coming off an up-and-down stretch, LSU showed flashes of promise, but struggled to find cohesive play necessary to match Mississippi State’s overwhelming pressure throughout the game.
The most glaring issue for LSU was its lack of offensive production. It only managed to get one shot throughout the match and none on target. The Tigers were outplayed in the attacking third.
Mississippi State’s defense, which has yet to concede a goal in SEC play, kept the Tigers from developing any kind of offensive momentum, limiting the Tigers’ chances to create opportunity for themselves.
LSU head coach Sian Hudson will need to find ways to reinvigorate the attack, especially since this isn’t the first time LSU’s offense has struggled against a high-caliber opponent.
The inability to generate shots or corners – LSU had zero corner kicks in this match – has become a concern, particularly as SEC competition becomes more intense in the upcoming weeks.
However, LSU has proven it can rise to the occasion in other games. They’ve been able to pull off some notable wins this season, including victories against tough opponents not only in the SEC but even out of conference.
What makes LSU unpredictable is its inconsistency to win games. One week, the Tigers seem capable of challenging anyone in the conference, but in others, like this match against Mississippi State, they struggle to impose themselves on the game.
Moving forward, LSU’s challenge will be finding consistency and finding it quick, especially in the midfield, where they need more control and composure to dictate the tempo of the match.
LSU’s defense was solid in the first half, but moments of mistakes in the second half let Mississippi State’s Ally Perry score, securing the win for the Bulldogs.
While goalkeeper Audur Scheving made some important saves, the Tigers’ defense was under siege for much of the game, allowing 22 shot attempts from the Bulldogs. Limiting these types of holes in the game will be key if LSU hopes to remain competitive in the upcoming matches.
Looking ahead, LSU will need to focus on improving their offensive transition and finding ways to break down organized defenses. The Tigers have shown the ability to adapt and respond after tough losses earlier this season. If they can bring that same resilience they have the potential to bounce back.
However, LSU’s unpredictability – often alternating between strong and then underwhelming performances – makes it difficult to predict any kind of future results.
A more balanced approach in both attacks and defense will be critical as they continue to navigate their SEC schedule.
For LSU it’s about fine-tuning the tactics and mentality to become a more consistent and dangerous team. It will need to look at this loss as a learning experience, understanding where they fell short while building on their moments of strength.
On Friday, the Tigers will play Auburn at home at 7 p.m. The real question is what LSU soccer team will be showcased then? Will it be the known and loved winning team, or the team who struggles to play catch up? Only time will tell how the Tigers will attack this upcoming matchup.
