NASHVILLE — The LSU soccer team earned its second-consecutive shutout Friday as it defeated the Belmont Bruins of the Atlantic Sun Conference, 2-0, at the Whitten Soccer Complex.
The Tigers improve to 2-2-0 on the season and are now 3-0 all-time against teams from the ASC.
“It’s a difficult trip given the time on the bus — a 10 or 11 hour bus ride and us getting in late last night,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee. “We’re certainly happy to get a win before we head back to Baton Rouge tomorrow.”
It didn’t take the Tigers long to get on the board as sophomore midfielder Caroline Vanderpool took a pass from junior forward Joleen Phillips and scored her first goal of the season at the 15:17 mark of the first half. Phillips recorded her team-leading fifth point of the season with the assist.
LSU carried its 1-0 lead into halftime despite attempting eight shots, including three shots on goal. Lee said he was impressed with Belmont’s effort and that the Bruins made it difficult for his team to capitalize on its opportunities.
“Belmont came out and fought really hard, and they were really well coached and organized,” Lee said. “They kept numbers behind the ball, so they were difficult to break down. In the second half we did a better job of trying to combine for their back line instead of just kicking the ball forward.”
In the 12th minute of the second half, freshman forward Sammy Sanderson centered a pass to freshman defender Veronica Godbolt, who ripped a shot over the goalkeeper to extend LSU’s lead to 2-0. It was Godbolt’s first goal and third point of the season.
LSU outshot Belmont (0-2-0) for the game 11-7 and had four shots on goal to three for the Bruins. Each team had two corner kicks and LSU recorded eight fouls to Belmont’s six.
Freshman goalkeeper Jackie Moseley saved three shots to earn her second-consecutive shutout and improve her record to 2-1 on the season.
“Jackie gets better with every game and gets more of a commanding presence in goal for us,” Lee said. “We are excited about her progress so far and hope she’ll continue to improve.”
The Tigers will return to the LSU Soccer Complex for their home opener Sunday at 2 p.m. against Jackson State with the theme being “Take a Kid to the Game.” All adults accompanied by a child 12 and under will receive a free LSU soccer visor with the kids receiving a free LSU t-shirt.
Lee has also announced the addition of a home match against in-state opponent McNeese State for Tuesday at 7 p.m.