LSU Soccer Advances to Second Round of NCAA Tournament, Faces Iowa in Nashville
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A dominant first-round victory has propelled the LSU Tigers into a second-round matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes, continuing their pursuit of an unprecedented NCAA Tournament run.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Riding the momentum of a 4–1 victory in the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the No. 25/14 nationally ranked LSU Soccer team (14-5-4) will face a challenging second-round contest against the No. 21/24 Iowa Hawkeyes (12-4-4) on Thursday, November 20, at 4 p.m. CT in Nashville. The match will be played at the Vanderbilt Soccer Complex, with Vanderbilt serving as the host and the tournament’s No. 1 overall seed.
The Tigers enter the game with a program-record 12-match unbeaten streak, having last tasted defeat on September 21. This impressive form follows a strong showing in the SEC Tournament, which LSU hopes to replicate on the national stage. The team’s depth was on full display in their first-round win over Houston Christian, with three different players finding the back of the net. A victory on Thursday would mark a historic milestone for the program, as LSU seeks to advance to the NCAA Third Round for the first time in its history.
Fans can stream the second-round action live on ESPN+. The winner of the LSU-Iowa clash will advance to the round of 16, scheduled for 2 p.m. CT on Sunday, November 23, in Nashville, where they will face either Clemson or Vanderbilt.
Scouting Iowa: A Defensive Powerhouse
The Hawkeyes arrive in Nashville following a 1–0 first-round win over South Dakota State, showcasing their defensive prowess. Iowa is making its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance – a program record – and reached the Sweet 16 in 2024.
This year, the Hawkeyes have recorded 10 shutouts and conceded just 1.05 goals per match, largely thanks to the strong goalkeeping tandem of Fernanda Mayrink (.667 save percentage) and Taylor Kane (.795 save percentage). Iowa’s offensive attack is equally diverse, with 17 different players contributing goals this season. Kelli McGroarty leads the team with six goals, while freshmen Liana Tarasco and Berkley Binggeli have provided crucial scoring contributions during Big Ten play. Notably, the Hawkeyes excel on set pieces, having scored 15 goals from dead-ball situations this season.
This will be the first-ever meeting between the LSU Tigers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, adding an element of intrigue to the matchup.
LSU Season Stats & Tournament History
LSU is peaking at the right time, entering the NCAA postseason with three SEC Tournament wins and a run to the SEC Championship match. The team has also climbed back into the national rankings, currently holding a No. 14 spot in the RPI – the third-highest mark in the SEC, trailing only Vanderbilt (4) and Tennessee (9). LSU has been consistently recognized in the polls, earning a No. 14 ranking from Top Drawer Soccer in recent weeks and maintaining a No. 25 spot in the final United Soccer Coaches poll released on November 4.
Offensively, the Tigers boast a potent attack, ranking 10th nationally with 50 goals scored this season. A remarkable 13 different LSU players have contributed to the scoring effort. Junior forward Ava Galligan leads the team with 10 goals, closely followed by senior Ida Hermannsdóttir and freshman Sariyah Bailey, who have each netted nine goals. The trio has combined for 27 goals and 21 assists, forming a formidable attacking force. Additional offensive contributors include Morgan Witz (five goals), Gabbi Ceballos (four goals), and Jazmin Ferguson, Amy Smith, and Gadea Blanco Gonzalez (two goals each).
Defensively, captains Jazmin Ferguson and Kelsey Major anchor a veteran back line that has limited opponents to 24 goals all season. Goalkeepers Sophine Kevorkian and Audur Scheving have combined for six shutouts and 72 saves, providing a reliable presence in goal. LSU currently leads the SEC in goals (50), assists (40), points (140), and goals per game (2.17), while also ranking among the league’s top five in total shots with 318.
This year’s NCAA Tournament appearance marks LSU’s 11th all-time and their fifth consecutive under head coach Sian Hudson – the longest streak by a head coach in program history. The Tigers improved their all-time tournament record to 4-9-2 with their win over Houston Christian. Having reached the second round five times previously (2007, 2009, 2018, 2022, 2025), LSU is determined to break new ground and advance to the Third Round, continuing its ascent on the national stage.
Fans can stay up-to-date with all things LSU Soccer by following the team’s social media channels @LSUsoccer on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
