After inking an elite class of five recruits on National Signing Day a week ago, members of the LSU Soccer program now turn their attention to the 2012 spring season while announcing a slate of five exhibition matches as they continue their offseason training program.

 

The Tigers are looking to build upon another successful campaign under the direction of eighth-year head coach Brian Lee after claiming their fourth SEC Western Division championship and earning a fourth trip to the NCAA Tournament in five seasons during the 2011 regular season.

 

The Tigers also finished in second place in the final 2011 SEC standings for the third time in four seasons while posting a 13-8-1 overall record with an 8-3 mark and 24 points in conference play.

 

“After graduating an impact class of five standout seniors in the fall, this spring season is certainly crucial in the continued development and maturity of our team,” Lee said. “While playing these five matches this spring, it allows our student-athletes an opportunity to get back into the type of competition that is needed to improve as a team. We expect to continue to build upon our success from the fall.

 

“A focus of our spring training each season is individual development. We’re looking forward to see what players will take their performance to the next level and fill that void left by our five seniors.”

 

The 2012 spring season kicks off with a pair of home matches against in-state rivals as the Tigers face the likes of Nicholls State on Wednesday, March 14, and Southeastern Louisiana on Tuesday, March 20, with kickoff for both fixtures set for 7 p.m. CT at the LSU Soccer Stadium.

 

After opening the spring season with back-to-back home matches, the Tigers wrap up the month of March in Houston, Texas, on March 24 with a fixture with the Texas Tech Red Raiders of the Big 12 Conference as the sides will square off at 5 p.m. at the home of the Albion Hurricanes Football Club.

 

The Tigers continue the with a trip to The Cage in Mobile, Ala., on April 11 as they square off against the South Alabama Jaguars of the Sun Belt Conference in match that is set to kick off at 7 p.m.

 

The 2012 spring season then comes to an exciting conclusion on Saturday, April 14, in the familiar setting of the Orange Beach Sportsplex as the reigning division champion Tigers clash with SEC West rival Alabama in a match scheduled for a noon kickoff. The Orange Beach Sportsplex has served as the host of the SEC Women’s Soccer Tournament in each of the last six seasons since 2005.

 

Like the Tigers, the Crimson Tide is coming off an NCAA Tournament run of its own in 2011 as part of a season in which its posted a 10-9-3 overall record with a 4-5-2 mark in conference play.