:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51520047/KODZWZHIFHNVCXC.20161021042514.0.JPG)
Going into the weekend, LSU needed to pick up at the very least two points to keep their season alive. They got one. It was a tough ask of any team, and LSU nearly skated by but fell just short.
#11 Auburn broke the scoreless lock in the 35th minute when Casie Ramsier took advantage of a botched clearance from the LSU back line and fired from just beyond the penalty spot. LSU played down until the 79th minute when they finally broke through. Just before the 80th minute mark, Ellie Weber laid a short cross to Jorian Baucom that took a deflection right to Summer Clarke, who laid into the ball and put a bouncing dribbler into the net to level the competition.
However soccer is a cruel sport, and with 53 seconds left to play Auburn jumped back in front when Ramsier was played behind the LSU back line by Bri Folds and finished with the weak foot to the right. Just when LSU thought they had the game broken even, Auburn dashed their hopes and made their situation more dire.
The loss against Auburn meant LSU would have to beat Alabama to have a healthy shot at the SEC Tournament. Alabama was the team directly in front of LSU and a win over the Crimson Tide meant that both teams would be tied in the standings with LSU possessing the tiebreaker.
LSU nearly broke the game in the ninth minute when Alex Thomas chipped a shot from eight yards out that was lofted just a little too much with too little pace. After that, both teams had their chances but nothing of serious consequence. Alabama knew all they needed was a point to put themselves out of reach of LSU and they played for it, sitting back to defend instead of playing forward. At the end of the 90, LSU had failed to unlock the Alabama defense and the Crimson Tide had failed to put a concerted effort to put the ball in the Tigers’ net and 20 minutes of extra time had been played. Alabama committed a handball penalty outside of the box in the 98th minute, but LSU was not able to convert the set piece that would end up being LSU’s last chance at goal for the game. The final whistle would blow soon after, and Alabama left Baton Rouge with a point that would salt away LSU’s chance at a postseason.
LSU falls four points behind the cutoff for the SEC Tournament, but three points in their final match would have been a tough ask as LSU closes with 18th ranked Arkansas, who is roaring at 14-4. The match is slated for Thursday at 7:00 and will be broadcast online via SEC Network + and WatchESPN.
Current Form: LLWLT