A Narrow Defeat at LSU Soccer Stadium
The Tigers opened their 2026 season in front of a home crowd at LSU Soccer Stadium, only to walk away with a 2-1 loss to the University of Central Florida.
UCF struck first in the 39th minute when Aliysia Lockette found the back of the net, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead that they held into the half.
The momentum shifted early in the second half when Payton Patrick added a second goal in the 64th minute, extending UCF’s advantage to 2-0 and forcing LSU to chase the game.
Ava Amsden, a sophomore forward, answered for the home side in the 77th minute with a striking 25‑yard effort that halved the deficit and sparked a late surge.
Amsden’s goal marked her first of the season and the third of her collegiate career, underscoring her growing impact on the team.
Despite the comeback attempt, the Tigers could not find an equalizer, leaving them at 1-2-0 while UCF improved to 2-0-0.
Coach’s remarks after the match highlighted the need for sharper defensive organization and more clinical finishing as the squad looks to rebound in upcoming fixtures.