BATON ROUGE — The LSU soccer team scored two goals in a matter of 14 seconds to come from behind and beat the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first time in school history, 2-1, on Friday night at the LSU Soccer Complex.
“To be a part of the first Tiger team to beat Alabama, I think is very special,” said head coach George Fotopoulos.
The Tigers had not beaten the Tide in the teams’ first five matches. LSU moves to 11-4 overall and 3-3 in Southeastern Conference play. Alabama falls to 5-10 for the season and 1-4 in the SEC.
“I am very proud of the girls,” said Fotopoulos. “I don’t think we played the best game that we have played all year, but we played a heck of a last 15 minutes, though. And sometimes in the game of soccer that’s all that matters. We are starting to get the respect of the SEC schools and that is important to the girls.”
Rachel Cohen hit a shot from 18 yards out in the 77th minute of play off an assist from Melissa Shelton to seal 2-1 victory for the Tigers just 14 seconds after sophomore Ashley Mitnick scored on a penalty kick to tie the score.
“The penalty kick by Ashley, I felt, was the turning point of the game. It got us back into it.”
Alabama’s Danielle Watson scored first in 58th minute of the game to break the 0-0 tie.
The Tigers and the Tide were close offensively, but LSU outshot Alabama in the end 13-11. LSU goalie Bonnie Otillio went 90 minutes in the goal with seven saves. Alabama goalie Tasha Denecke also had seven saves for the evening.
“I want to thank our fans for sticking with us. The fans we have been very supportive all season long.”
LSU plays Auburn at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the LSU Soccer Complex. Fans can pick up free admission coupons to the match from any Baton Rouge area Winn-Dixie. The Tigers will autograph team posters after the game.