BATON ROUGE — The SEC Western Division championship will be on the line when the 14th-ranked LSU soccer team welcomes the visiting Arkansas Razorbacks to the LSU Soccer Complex on Friday night in a match scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. CT.
With a win, the Tigers would clinch not only their second straight division crown, but also secure the No. 2 seed in next week’s SEC Tournament to be played in Orange Beach, Ala., on Nov. 5-9.
LSU enters the match with a 12-3-1 overall record and a 6-3-1 mark in SEC play as the club is in the No. 2 spot in the overall league standings with 19 points. Arkansas (11-7, 4-6 SEC) must win to put itself in a position to qualify for the SEC Tournament as it is ninth in the SEC at 12 points.
“We understand the challenge that is in front of us tomorrow night, and we expect Arkansas to be ready to play for 90 minutes when we kick it off,” said LSU head coach Brian Lee. “Every game in the SEC is a battle, and this one will be no different. Both sides have a lot to play for and much to gain with a win. It’s important for us to match their intensity for the full 90 minutes.”
The Tigers have dominated the Razorbacks in recent years as they are riding a four-game winning streak in the series that dates back to the 2004 season.
In fact, LSU clinched its first ever SEC Western Division title with a 1-0 double overtime victory in Fayetteville on Nov. 2 of last season with Rachel Yepez providing the winning goal and one of the most important goals in program history. The Tigers went on to earn their first ever berth into the NCAA Tournament where they advanced to the second round.
Friday’s match also marks the final time that three Tiger seniors will wear the LSU uniform at the LSU Soccer Complex as Casey Crawford, Roslyn Jones and Jackie Moseley will be honored with a brief Senior Night ceremony prior to the opening kick.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt that this team owes Casey, Roslyn and Jackie a debt of gratitude for the way that they have led this program during their careers,” Lee said. “The way they have represented not only themselves, but also their families, this program and this university both on and off the field is what we expect of all student-athletes who choose to be a part of this program.
“I’m proud to have coached them in what has been a short four years and wish them all the best in the future. No one deserves to have the kind of success we now enjoy more than they do.”
Since it is Halloween Night, a Kicking Costume Party will be held for fans before the match with a kids costume competition scheduled for halftime. It is also Best Buddies of Baton Rouge Night at the LSU Soccer Complex with members of the organization receiving free admission.
Fans who are unable to attend the match can hear all the action through a live radio broadcast at www.totalsportsradio.com with Jason Kelly on the call.
After battling the Razorbacks on Friday night, the Tigers will return to the pitch in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Wednesday as the event is set to return to the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Ala., from Nov. 5-9. LSU’s seed and first-round opponent will be determined after Friday’s regular season finale in the Southeastern Conference.