HAMMOND, La. — The LSU soccer team recorded a 2-1 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Sunday at the Southeastern Soccer Complex to continue its recent dominance of in-state schools.
“I give a lot of credit to Southeastern but we really played very poorly today,” said LSU head coach George Fotopoulos. “Southeastern was a good team but our players were not mentally focused for this game and we missed a lot of chances that would have out the game away.”
The Tigers improved to 7-1-1 with the victory and own a 17-0-2 record against in-state competition since head coach George Fotopoulos’ arrival prior to the 2000 season. LSU moves to 4-1 all-time against Southeastern. LSU handed the Lions their first loss of the season as Southeastern fell to 5-1-1 overall. The Tigers have allowed only six goals through the first nine games this season and out-shot the Lions 12-9 for the game.
The Lions took a 1-0 lead with 10:04 remaining in the first half as Kendra Oney scored off an assist by Rachel Anden following a corner kick. Southeastern missed numerous scoring chances on corner kicks in the half but the Tiger defense would not allow the Lions to score. LSU goalkeeper Robyn DesOrmeaux made a terrific save on a Southeastern shot after falling to the ground with just over 22 minutes left in the half to prevent another score.
LSU answered Southeastern’s goal three minutes later as senior midfielder Elizabeth Marschall deflected the ball off of Southeastern goalkeeper Nicole Helmig in the net after a corner kick, tying the match at one a piece with 7:12 left in the half. The goal was Marschall’s first of the season.
The Tigers held a 9-4 advantage in corner kicks in the first half but were not able to capitalize on the first eight attempts. Freshman forward Stacy Bishop missed twice high on headers following corner kicks and once Helmig saved a potential Bishop goal on another attempt. Junior Danielle Keath hit the left post with four and a half minutes remaining in the first period in what was another LSU missed opportunity.
Senior Jen deHay put LSU ahead 2-1 with her first goal of the season at the 32:12 mark in the second half with the assist going to Stacy Bishop.
The Lions missed a golden chance to tie the match with roughly 17 minutes left in the match after DesOrmeaux came out too far from the goal but an attempted shot missed wide to the right and the score remained in the Tigers’ advantage.
“I thought the keys to this game today as one the play of Elizabeth Marschall,” said Fotopoulos. “I thought Liz Marschall was exceptional and she really dominated the center of the midfield. I think Artie Brown up front once again proved to be our most effective forward without question, and those are two players who I felt really made a difference today.”
“Today was evidence of our lack of depth with (Michelle) De Cespedes and Kasey Dexter out and I think that showed up today but we came in here under aversed conditions and found a way to win.”
LSU will be back in action on Oct. 3 when the Tigers open up Southeastern Conference play versus Kentucky in Lexington, Ky. The Tigers will face Vanderbilt in the second half of the road trip on Oct. 5 in Nashville, Tenn. That match will be televised live on SEC-TV (Cable Ch. 38 in Baton Rouge).
LSU (7-1-1) def. Southeastern Louisiana (5-1-1), 2-1
Southeastern 1 0 — 1
LSU 1 1 – 2
Scoring: LSU, Marschall (1) 37:48 (unassisted); deHay (1) 52:12 (assist Bishop); Southeastern, Oney (5) 34:49 (assist Anden)
Yellow cards: None