Ables, Algya Lead Baylor to 3-1 Win over LSU in Exhibition

WACO, Texas — The Michelle Lenard era of Baylor Soccer looks to be off to a fast start with the Bears thrashing LSU 3-1 in their first exhibition game.

While the regular season is really all that matters, the green and gold showed loads of promise at the Lou tonight. The Bears were crisp, composed and controlled the game right from the first touch.

The Bears got a dangerous corner in the 12th minute and scored their first goal in the 15th.

Senior defender Kayley Ables found herself with the ball just outside the 18-yard box and lashed a shot into the top right corner of goal. An absolute banger, and a great way to get the season started.

Baylor stayed on the front foot and was having fun controlling the Tigers. The Augustyn twins, freshmen defenders who got the start tonight even had a cool moment around the 16-minute mark. Hallie sent a long low pass to Hannah on the left side. It came in hot and there was an LSU player on her back, but Hannah calmly popped the ball right over both of them, made the turn and looked to release her teammate upfield. Sadly, her pass didn’t find its mark, but I find that confidence from a defender to try a skill like that very, very encouraging.

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Lenard has the Bears mentally prepared and daring. It’s a very good sign for the coming season.

Only a few minutes later, Maddie Algya one-upped her fellow veteran Bear. She sent a swerving shot over the LSU keeper from at least 25 yards out. 2-0 Baylor in the 20th minute.

From there, the substitutions started coming for the half. But even as the majority of Baylor’s squad was rotated, the green and gold stayed on the attack. Sophomore winger Haven Terry and junior Chloe Brown had a nice interplay, but Brown was called offside.

In the 39th minute, Dallas Baptist transfer midfielder Ashley Merrill got a shot on goal from about 7 yards out. The LSU keeper made and great save, but the rebound hit the crossbar and fell to freshman winger Annika Fredell. Fredell punched it in to net her first collegiate goal and put the Bears up 3-0, a lead they would carry into half-time.

Baylor keeper Lauren Traywick was not called on much in the half, but she made three saves and was very composed.

The second half proceeded much like the first, with the Bears keeping composed control. The only thing that was missing was another score.

Elizabeth Kooiman and Olivia Mack were getting in behind the Tigers' back line again and again, but chances on goal in the 47th, 49th, and 54th minutes were saved or forced wide.

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Kaley Ables went down hurt around the 67th minute and, while concerning to see a leader go down, she’s a tough fighter and will hopefully be back on the field soon.

The Tigers grabbed a goal back in the 85th minute, but even at 3-1 the Bears’ dominance was not in question.

Overall, the exhibition was a success for the green and gold. Close to 20 players saw the field, and the offensive display was great to see.

The team looked like they always had a plan in the first half only showed a couple of cracks in the second with subs in. The build-up was methodical and the pressing was active. A player from all three levels of the formation scored tonight and the defense looked at ease until late in the second half.

I would consider this a resounding success for coach Lenard. She has laid a good foundation to build off of, but not every game will see the Bears starting this well. Once adversity hits, I’m intrigued to see how the team handles it.

For now, 3-1 is a great start.

Up Next: @ UTSA SUN. 8/14