LSU has emerged as one of the premier women’s soccer programs in the Southeastern Conference after winning back-to-back SEC Western Division championships and earning consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and 2008. The 2009 season is right around the corner, and the Tigers will look to continue their success as they open up Aug. 21 with a match against Memphis scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at the LSU Soccer Complex.
Fourth in a five-part series previewing the upcoming season breaks down what LSU fans can expect from the Tigers’ back line this fall.
BATON ROUGE — While the Tigers have devastated opposing teams with an explosive offensive attack in winning back-to-back SEC Western Division titles, the foundation of LSU’s championship run has been built on a stifling defense that finished the 2009 season as the No. 1- ranked unit in the Southeastern Conference.
The Tigers allowed the fewest goals in the SEC a year ago as opponents were held to just 17 goals in 20 matches, while they also led the league with a sparkling 0.82 goals against average for a school record 14-4-2 overall record and a 7-3-1 mark in conference play.
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And head coach Brian Lee expects more of the same this fall as three seniors return from the starting back four to give the Tigers one of the more experienced defensive units in the SEC.
In fact, senior standouts Nikki Bush, Katherine Lagow and Chelsea Potts have combined for a total of 177 appearances with 161 starts during their collegiate careers as they return to lead what might be the most talented defensive back line in the SEC this fall.
“We are very excited about the potential of our back line this year,” Lee said. “There’s no doubt that championships are won on the defensive end of the field, and that has certainly been an important part of the success we’ve enjoyed over the last four years. We have never had this kind of experience on our back line in the four years that we’ve been at LSU, and the experience we do have on this team is going to be a key for us again this season. ”
LSU’s defensive effort is only strengthened this season with the addition of University of Alabama-Birmingham transfer Allysha Chapman, who cemented her position as LSU’s starting left back this spring after joining the program following the end of the 2008 season.
Chapman, a sophomore from Courtice, Ontario, Canada, has enjoyed a brilliant career as a member of the Under-20 Canadian Women’s National Team in which she had the privilege of representing her country at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She was honored following her performance at the World Cup by being named one of six finalists for the Canadian Women’s U-20 Player of the Year award.
“Chappy is a world-class defender who comes to us with extensive international experience on her side. She is going to be a welcomed addition to our back line and should give us one of the more talented defensive units in the SEC,” Lee said. “She had an outstanding spring season and will be an impact player for us right away on the left side.”
The Tigers will welcome the Texas Longhorns to the LSU Soccer Complex on Friday at 7 p.m. CT for a preseason exhibition match before kicking off the regular season at home on Aug. 21 with a match against the Memphis Tigers, who enter the season as the defending Conference USA champions.
LSU Soccer Season Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased for $35 for adults and $15 for youths at the official website for LSU athletics, www.LSUsports.net.
Fans also have the opportunity to purchase the “Ultimate Fall Season Pass,” which allows admission to all 2009 regular season home games for both the LSU soccer and volleyball teams. The “Ultimate Fall Season Pass” is $50 for adults and $25 for youths and is available for all 21 home contests for both teams.