BATON ROUGE — In a game full of missed opportunities and shots off target, Rachel Yepez was able to start the 2008 season the same way she finished 2007 by scoring goals.
The SEC’s leading goal scorer a year ago, Yepez scored both goals for LSU in a 2-0 win over the University of South Alabama in its season opener Friday night at the LSU Soccer Complex.
Yepez’s scoring overshadowed what head coach Brian Lee called a “sloppy” game in which the Tigers took 20 shots with only six on target.
“I didn’t think we were sharp right from the opening minute,” Lee said. “We had a couple of chances to put the game away early and our final pass just wasn’t quite there.”
The game marked the collegiate debut of LSU freshman goalkeeper Mo Isom, who brings a more powerful and athletic look in goal for the Tigers as she showed her athleticism by coming off her line to block shots and booming 70-yard punts downfield.
“She’s super athletic and can play with her feet very comfortably. For her first regular season game I thought she was outstanding,” Lee said.
Isom’s athleticism was on display midway through the first half when she leaped to the crossbar to make a save with her left hand on a shot from South Alabama forward Kayla Conrad. She leaped to the crossbar to make a save with her left hand, adjusted in mid-air and reached down with her right to punch the ball over the crossbar and out of play.
“She played a composed and mistake-free game, and when we needed a couple of key saves, she made them,” Lee said.
Senior captain Casey Crawford made a debut of her own as well, moving up from the defense to take a more active role in the attack for the Tigers as a defensive midfielder.
“She was awesome,” Lee said. “She probably wins 60 or 70 percent of the balls at midfield off of punts and goal kicks. Without watching the film, I think she may have been our best player on the field tonight. She’s just a tremendous competitor and has a great will to win.”
In the 25th minute, LSU midfielder Malorie Rutledge, a member of the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team, sent in a line-drive cross to the top of the box that was settled by forward Roslyn Jones. Jones then turned and found Yepez on the left side of the penalty area who rifled the ball into the back of the net with her left foot.
“I would’ve liked to have gotten the ball more to the left side of the goal, but I thought I got solid contact on it,” Yepez said.
Unlike her first goal, Yepez’s second goal in the 61st minute was a solo effort. After Jones had flicked the ball into the box toward the South Alabama net, a sprinting Yepez fought off a Jaguar defender for possession and was able to once again strike the ball with her left foot and into the back of the net for the final margin.
“I thought Rachel played outstanding,” Lee said. “Her composure in front of goal is great, her strike rate for her chances is great and she puts the ball on target, which is something we had a bit of trouble doing tonight.”
Yepez’s play was more the exception than the rule Friday night, as the Tigers were able to come away with a win without playing their best game.
The season-opening win extends the Tigers’ home unbeaten streak to 12 games, their last home loss coming against Auburn during the 2006 season.
The Tigers return to the pitch on Monday night as they welcome the BYU Cougars to the LSU Soccer Complex in a match scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick off. Fans who are unable to make it out to the game can listen live as the match will be broadcast online at www.totalsportsradio.com with Jason Kelly on the call.