#12 Sydney Cheesman Season 2026

JUNIOR SEASON (2024)
Started in all but one match in her debut season for the Tigers (20 starts) after transferring from North Carolina for her junior season… Logged a team-high 1,656 minutes on the back line… Cheesman was a major piece of LSU’s defensive unit, playing the full 90 minutes in 15 matches… She recorded four assists on the year, including her first career helper in the season-opening win at South Alabama and a season-best two assists against Arizona State… Of her four total shots, three were on frame… Earned third-team All-SEC and Louisiana Newcomer of the Year honors. 

PRIOR TO LSU
Transfer defender from the University of North Carolina who will join the Tigers in 2024… Hails from Lafayette, Colorado, where she attended Centaurus High School and played club ball for the Colorado Rush… Played two seasons with the Tar Heels… helped UNC advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament in 2023… Was invited to the 2021 U-20 U.S. Women’s Youth National Team Training Camp and competed with the team in two international friendlies in Costa Rica in May 2022… Also participated in the U-18 U.S. Women’s National Team Virtual Camp…Was a member of the U-16 U.S. National Team which competed in the 2020 UEFA Development Tournament in England… LSU Coach Sian Hudson says Cheesman is “an exceptional player with a high level of technical quality and tactical understanding. She is a versatile player who can operate as a center back or full back, but she is also excellent in the deep build as a center back or fly forward”.