Please note that the stats, box score and game story for this match were altered after reviewing the game video. Mandy Heintz was credited with the Tigers’ first goal, while Ashley Mitnick was credited with an assist on the goal.
LAKE CHARLES, La. — The LSU soccer team set a number of defensive school records on Friday, as the Tigers earned their fourth consecutive shutout victory of the season over the McNeese State Cowgirls, 3-0, on the road in Lake Charles.
By holding McNeese State scoreless, LSU’s 2002 squad became the first Tiger team to record four-consecutive shutouts. Five of LSU’s six victories this season have been shutouts and the Tigers have outscored the competition, 27-2.
“Our defense continued to play hard, aggressive and intelligent soccer out there today,” said LSU head coach George Fotopoulos. “They really played well and its an unbelievable honor to earn four-straight shutouts. We just have to take this win in stride and get prepared to play Troy State at home on Sunday.”
With the win, LSU remained undefeated against in-state opponents for its 14th-straight contest and improved to a 6-1 overall record on the season.
The Tigers also remained undefeated on the road during the 2002 campaign.
LSU’s lone loss of the season was played at a neutral site, as the Tigers were defeated by 23rd-ranked Miami, 1-0, at the Seminole Invitational.
McNeese State (0-6) lost its first game of the season at home at the McNeese Intramural Fields. The Cowgirls’ previous five games were on the road.
“They (McNeese State) had a good crowd out there and they were pretty loud and rowdy,” Fotopoulos said. “They really helped their team get into the game and I was proud of how our team responded to the challenge. It’s always hard to play on the road and I feel that we got off to a good start tonight.”
At exactly the 17-minute mark of Friday’s in-state battle, Mandy Heintz gave the Tigers’ an early 1-0 lead by scoring her 11th goal of the season. The goal proved to be the game-winner.
The final two goals of Friday’s non-conference matchup came on direct kicks from the Tigers’ juniors Rachel Cohen and Stephanie Keating.
At the 21-minute mark, Cohen gave LSU a 2-0 lead as she scored her first goal of the season, while Keating added her third goal of the season at at 64:26.
“I said coming into this season that both Rachel and Stephanie had the ability to be prolific goal scorers,” said Fotopoulos. “So far, they’re proving me right and I hope that they can continue to play with same competitive spirit that they are now. It’s fun to watch them play when they are at the top of their game.”
The LSU soccer team will next be in action on Sunday, Sept. 22, as the Tigers host the Troy State Trojans in a non-conference contest at 2 p.m. at the LSU Soccer Complex. The matchup is being promoted as the McDonalds Rodeo Roundup and cowboy hats will be given to the first 100 fans.
LSU (6-1) def. McNeese State (0-6), 3-0
McNeese St. 0 0 – 0
LSU 2 1 – 3
Scoring: LSU, Heintz (11) 17:00 (assist by Mitnick, 4), Cohen (1) 21:00 (unassisted), Keating (3) 64:26 (unassisted).
Yellow Cards: None