BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA — #4 LSU overwhelmed Houston Christian 4-1 Friday in the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship, showcasing the Tigers' attacking firepower in a dominant performance. The fourth-ranked home side controlled the match from start to finish, outshooting the Huskies 29-3 while generating 10 shots on goal. LSU's balanced offensive attack proved too much for Houston Christian to handle, with multiple Tigers finding the back of the net to secure a commanding victory.
Sariyah Bailey opened the scoring in the 25th minute, giving LSU an early advantage they would never relinquish. The Tigers extended their lead when Gabbi Ceballos struck in the 49th minute, putting the match well out of reach before halftime concluded. Houston Christian pulled one back through Ella Remy's 67th-minute goal, briefly threatening to make it interesting. But LSU's depth proved decisive down the stretch. Bailey added her second goal in the 80th minute, and Ida Hermannsdottir sealed the result moments later with an assist from Ava Amsden, capping a clinical finishing display.
The first half saw LSU establish complete control of possession and territory. Houston Christian offered little resistance in the attacking third, managing just three shot attempts compared to LSU's 16. The Huskies' defense was frequently under siege, with the Tigers generating multiple corner opportunities and forcing Houston Christian goalkeeper to make several routine saves. By halftime, LSU had already built a commanding 2-0 lead, though they created even more chances that went begging.
Houston Christian emerged from the break with renewed purpose, briefly threatening to capitalize on LSU's second-half substitutions. Remy's goal in the 67th minute gave the visitors a glimmer of hope and cut the deficit to a single goal. However, the Huskies couldn't sustain the momentum. LSU's fresh legs and superior depth quickly reasserted control, and the Tigers' relentless attacking eventually broke through again. The final 20 minutes became a procession as LSU added two more goals to put the match completely out of reach.
Bailey's two-goal performance highlighted LSU's offensive balance. The Tigers didn't rely on any single player to carry the load—instead, their attack moved the ball efficiently and created opportunities from multiple angles. Ceballos and Hermannsdottir also found the net, demonstrating the depth of LSU's attacking arsenal. Houston Christian goalkeeper made six saves but faced an overwhelming volume of shots that eventually wore down the defense.
The statistical disparity told the complete story. LSU dominated in corners (6-1) and shots on goal (10-2), controlling nearly every aspect of play. Houston Christian's two shots on goal represented their only real offensive threat all evening. The Huskies' defensive shape broke down repeatedly against LSU's fluid passing and intelligent movement off the ball.
For LSU, the victory demonstrated the attacking depth that makes the Tigers a national championship contender. The ability to score from multiple sources—not just relying on one or two star players—provides flexibility and resilience in tournament play. Houston Christian, despite entering the match fresh off back-to-back tournament victories, simply couldn't match LSU's intensity or technical quality on the day.
The Tigers' clinical finishing and defensive organization throughout the 90 minutes showcased why they're ranked fourth nationally. LSU's balanced attack and ability to convert chances when they arrive proved the difference in a one-sided affair that never felt competitive after Bailey's opening goal. LSU now faces Iowa.