AUBURN, Ala. — The 19th-ranked LSU soccer team saw its four-game unbeaten streak come to an end and suffered its first loss in Southeastern Conference play Friday night with a 2-0 shutout at the hands of Auburn at the Auburn Soccer Complex.
LSU (8-2-4, 2-1-2 SEC) has now dropped five straight matches to Auburn (8-3-1, 4-1-0 SEC) as the Tigers from the Plains improve to 10-4 in the all-time series.
“This was the first road test for our young team in the SEC, and I thought we played well tonight, especially going forward,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee. “We were just unlucky not to finish some chances in the attacking third. You have to give full credit to Auburn for playing really well and really hard for the full 90 minutes tonight.”
Stephanie Fransoso put Auburn on top early in the match with her second goal of the season at the 6:15 mark after collecting a centering pass from teammate Rebecca Howell and firing a shot into the back of the net from the top of the six-yard box for the game-winner.
Howell provided the final margin for Auburn with her fifth goal of the season at the 72:28 mark of the second half as she ripped a wide open shot past LSU’s senior goalkeeper Valerie Vogler from the top of the penalty area. Caitlin King was credited with an assist on the goal.
The Tigers were unable to capitalize on their chances to get on the scoreboard despite attempting 18 shots with nine shots on goal and five corner kicks for the match.
Sophomore midfielder Malorie Rutledge just missed scoring the equalizer in the 34th minute with a shot off the post from the top of the box, while freshman midfielder Taryne Boudreau ripped a shot off the crossbar from outside the penalty area in the 66th minute.
With Auburn leading 2-0 late in the second half, sophomore midfielder Michelle Makasini missed on an opportunity to cut the lead in half with a shot wide left from 10 yards out had an in a one-on-one opportunity with Auburn goalkeeper Allison Whitworth.
The match was even throughout as Auburn was credited with 13 total shots and two corner kicks, while the side matched LSU’s effort with nine shots on goal for the match.
“I thought Allison Whitworth was tremendous in goal for Auburn tonight with her ability to save shots and cutting out crosses,” Lee said. “She’s an All-SEC caliber goalkeeper, and she certainly showed that tonight. It’s a tough loss, but we played really well tonight. It’s important that we rest and recover for another big match on Sunday afternoon.”
The Tigers look to get back on the winning track as they return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon with a trip to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in an SEC Western Division showdown at 1 p.m. at the Alabama Soccer Complex.