TAMPA, Fla. — The LSU soccer team finished the spring season with an undefeated record for a second-consecutive year on Monday as the Tigers defeated Stetson University, 4-0, to complete a four-game weekend sweep of top-notch opponents here in Tampa, Fla.
“This was another huge spring for us,” said LSU head coach George Fotopoulos. “Not only did we get a lot of good work done, but we had a fun time as well. This trip to Tampa was a big learning experience for us. I think that we grew as a team and we also got a chance to compete against some really good competition. Right now, we just have to sustain this momentum throughout the summer.”
With the win, LSU closed out the 2003 spring season with a 9-0-4 overall record and completed its rigorous weekend trip with a 4-0 mark against tough competition. Prior to Monday’s 4-0 victory over Stetson, the Tigers earned wins over some of the nation’s top club teams in Hillsborough United, the Temple Terrace Soccer Club and the Blackwatch Soccer Club.
LSU played some stifling defense against Stetson on Monday as the Tigers only allowed one shot attempt in the entire 90 minutes of competition. Junior-to-be Robyn DesOrmeaux recorded her seventh shutout of the spring season and was assisted by freshman defender Tara Mitnick.
Mitnick, who was named to the Central Region All-Freshman Team a year ago, played a vital role in the Tigers’ defense throughout the spring season and helped LSU only relinquish a total of four goals. On Monday, the Tigers outshot Stetson by a total of 32-1.
“Our defense has been playing outstanding,” Fotopoulos said. “They’re being physical. They’re playing smart and they’re not making any stupid mistakes. At this point in the spring, that’s a great thing to be able to say and we just have to continue to build on the progress that we’ve made over the past few months. Teams are made by the hard work that they put in during the spring and the summer practices, the fall season is just a result of that effort.”
The LSU soccer team will next be in action this fall as the Tigers kick off its 2003 schedule against Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. on Aug. 29, at the LSU Soccer Complex.