LSU’s women’s soccer team arrives in Tempe, Arizona, with a 1‑4 record and a desperate need for a turnaround. After dropping four straight games, including a narrow 1‑0 loss to Arizona State, the Tigers are set to meet Arizona at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium on Aug. 29 at noon Central Time. The match represents the third meeting in program history, a series LSU currently leads 2‑1.
Arizona, meanwhile, has shown signs of resurgence. After an opening defeat to Grand Canyon, the Wildcats posted back‑to‑back victories over New Mexico State and Gonzaga, moving to 2‑1. Returning stars Jessica Bedolla and Lily Boydstun anchor an attack that has been bolstered by newcomers, giving the team a fresh spark as it prepares for the visit of the Tigers.
For LSU, the spotlight falls on a handful of offensive leaders who have carried the squad through a challenging stretch. Senior forward Ava Galligan, a preseason watchlist selection and Hermann Trophy candidate, topped the team with 11 goals and four assists last season and earned first‑team All‑SEC honors. Joining her are fifth‑year transfer Allie Fryer, who appears on the Hermann Trophy watchlist with 30 career goals, and sophomore Sariyah Bailey, a third‑team All‑SEC pick who contributed to LSU’s Sweet 16 run. Defender Kelsey Major and goalkeeper Audur Scheving provide the backbone at the back, while a roster of 27 student‑athletes blends veteran experience with international talent.
A Crucial Non‑Conference Test
The upcoming schedule adds another layer of intrigue. Following the Arizona clash, LSU will host Baylor on Sept. 3 before traveling to Miami‑Ohio on Sept. 6. Both games offer opportunities to fine‑tune before SEC play begins on Sept. 11 against Tennessee. The road trip, which culminates in the Arizona matchup, is viewed as a pivotal checkpoint for the Tigers as they seek to translate early‑season lessons into conference success.
Coaches and analysts alike stress that the game is more than a simple win‑loss tally; it is a barometer for LSU’s tactical adjustments and a chance for younger players to step into larger roles. The atmosphere in Tempe is expected to be electric, with the home crowd hoping to ride the momentum of a program that has historically held an edge over Arizona.