LSU soccer team puts win streak on line against FIU
The LSU soccer team will take a two-game winning streak into Friday’s match against Florida International scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at LSU’s soccer complex.
At the midway point of a 10-game homestand, the Tigers (3-1-1) seem to be finding their stride. LSU is coming off wins over Houston (2-0 on Sunday) and Stephen F. Austin (2-1 on Tuesday).
It will be the first meeting between LSU and the Panthers (2-2).
Admission is free to each of the team’s nine regular-season matches. Gates open at 6 p.m.
Friday is “Baton Rouge Soccer Association Night” and “Family Night” with a free LSU soccer tote bag being going to the first 250 fans.
Volleyball
TIGERS SET FOR CAROLINA CLASSIC: LSU wraps up its nonconference schedule at the Carolina Classic at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C. The Tigers play tournament host North Carolina at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by Saturday matches against Middle Tennessee (9 a.m.) and Western Michigan (4:30 p.m.).
“All three are quality programs that made the NCAAs last year and are coached by very good coaches,” LSU coach Fran Flory said. “LSU and North Carolina have had a run of great matches and it is a fun rivalry, not a negative rivalry. It will be a tough match. It will be very competitive, very tight contest that will be determined by a couple of touches here or there. We will have three great challenges again for our team this weekend.”
LSU (2-4) picked up a road victory over Rice before dropping a pair matches at No. 7 Purdue and No. 12 Washington at last weekend’s relocated Tiger Classic. All four of LSU’s losses have come against top 20 opponents.
Men’s golf
TIGERS OPEN FALL SEASON AT CARPET CAPITAL: LSU faces a strong test as it opens the fall season at the Carpet Capital Collegiate Classic that begins with Friday’s opening round at The Farm Golf Club in Rocky Face, Ga.
The Farm Golf Club will host a 15-team field that features seven teams ranked in the Golf World/Nike Golf Coaches’ Preseason Top 25.
The three-day, 54-hole tournament will play to a par 72 and 7,012 yards.
Friday’s first round is set to begin at 8 a.m. with tee times on holes 1 and 10. The tournament continues with the second round on Saturday and the final round on Sunday.
The tournament features No. 1-ranked and NCAA runner-up Alabama and No. 2-ranked and NCAA champion Texas.
The Tigers will compete with a five-man lineup that features two juniors in All-Southeastern Conference performer Andrew Presley and Landon Lyons, two sophomores in Stewart Jolly and Curtis Thompson, and standout freshman Zach Wright.
Baseball
NEW OUTFIELD GRASS TO BE INSTALLED IN ALEX BOX STADIUM: A project to install new grass in the outfield and foul territories of Alex Box Stadium is under way and scheduled to be completed near the end of this month.
LSU coach Paul Mainieri explained the need for the new surface.
“When we first moved into the new stadium (in 2009) we planted ‘performance’ Bermuda grass and it just hasn’t been a good fit,” Mainieri said. “In 2010 we decided to try something different and planted ‘celeation’ Bermuda in the infield, and the infield has looked great ever since.
“We put off doing it in the outfield because of the time that we would have to be off of the field for such a big project. Now is a great time to get it done before we start fall practice later this month.”