Soccer's Regression To The Mean?

LSU soccer embarked on a weekend roadtrip following their three game unbeaten homestand that started Friday night when the Tigers took on the other Tigers in the SEC, Auburn.

It didn't take long for the seal to be broken, LSU provided a lot of pressure early on that culminated with Heather Magee's first goal of the season, an off-speed kick with a lot of air under it in the 11th minute, her first time finding net all season.

Auburn played LSU well for the remainder of the half, and took advantage of a smash and grab opportunity just before half, leveling on a corner kick. LSU and Auburn traded punches for the initial part of the second half until Kala Faulkner connected with Taylor Troutman in the 64th on a long lob ball into a box, which Troutman sent home for a 2-1 lead.

LSU played frantically for an equalizer, and in the the 85th minute LSU's pressure paid off. Summer Clarke was fouled at the top of the box, and Jorian Baucom converted the penalty to equalize, her 11th of the season, leaving her tied for the lead across the nation.

The first 10 of extra time were uneventful, but Auburn scored the golden goal in the 102nd minute when Casie Ramsier got hold of an LSU clearance and put in the game winning goal. Extra time has proven to be bad news for LSU, who drop to 0-2-2 on the year in games needing it.

LSU then closed out the weekend Sunday night in Oxford on a rainy night, and the Tigers' play suited the weather. Ole Miss started off placing pressure on the LSU defense and never let up, with Gretchen Harknett put Ole Miss ahead in the 17th minute. The Rebels took nine corners in the first half while limiting LSU to two, resulting in only one shot for LSU.

The Tigers came out in the second half with a little more pressure, but eventually Ole Miss was able to regain control of the game. Baucom had a header in the 65th minute that bounced off the crossbar.

Ole Miss drew the game sealing goal in the 69th (nice) minute when LSU couldn't clear a ball in the box that Addie Forbus took advantage of.

To make matters worse, Jorian Baucom came off just after Ole Miss went up 2-0 and didn't leave the bench, towel draping her head. The LSU attack without the threat of Baucom was...not exactly world class, and Ole Miss salted the lead away, becoming the first opponent to shut out LSU all season.

After LSU's torrid start to the season, the Tigers find themselves 1-3-0 in conference play and sitting tied for last in the standings with three points. What Jorian did to start the season was great, but LSU needs players not named Summer Clarke to step up and assume more attacking responsibilities, and absolutely have to finish out games. Finding that extra boost to play the last 10 minutes of extra time has killed the Tigers twice now and has not proven to cost them two points, which seems small can make a world of difference in whether or not LSU goes to Destin.

LSU's next home game is Friday night when the Tigers host Vanderbilt at 7.