A pair of longtime teammates didn't waste anytime making an impact with the Louisiana State University women's soccer team.
Richmond's Summer Clarke and Victoria's Emma Fletcher showed why they are high-profile incoming freshmen by combining for the first two goals of the match as the Tigers opened the 2013 campaign with a 4-1 victory over Nicholls State University.
Clarke scored the breakthrough goal in the 16th minute when she flicked the ball past Colonel goalkeeper Amanda Boylson inside the far post on an end-line cross from Fletcher inside the six-yard box. Clarke then returned the favor just four minutes later when she dribbled into the left side of the area and drew Boylson off her line to defend before centering to Fletcher standing near the penalty spot for an easy one-time finish into an empty net in the 20th minute of play.
Clarke and Fletcher showcased the chemistry that has developed throughout their youth careers while playing alongside one another in the Canadian Women's National Team system and Vancouver Whitecaps Elite Girls program before joining the Tigers this fall.
"It's the coolest thing," Clarke said of combining with Fletcher on their first goals as LSU Tigers.
"I've been playing with Emma for five or six years now. We have good chemistry together. It was fun to have my first goal experience with her tonight. It was one of the most fun games I've had in a while. I thought our team meshed well together in our first game. It was a good start for the team."
"I think our strengths complement each other," Fletcher added. "She (Clarke) has amazing speed. I managed to find her quite often tonight. That usually results in a goal for us."
Clarke came close to scoring a second goal with just 10 minutes remaining in the first half. After beating Nicholls State's defensive back line, she found herself one-onone with the keeper, but Boylson denied Clarke on a diving attempt for one of her seven saves on the night.
The Canadian international is among 11 rookies nationwide named to the Pre-season All-Freshman Team.
"During the evaluation process, our staff rated Summer the top striker in North America for the class of 2013. We also feel the same about the potential impact of Emma (Fletcher), Megan (Lee) and Rebecca (Pongetti) in each of their positions," said LSU head coach Brian Lee.
"We look forward to helping them assimilate to the college game, and are confident that as individuals and as a group they will have an exciting four years in our program."
The nationally 22nd ranked Tigers are set to open up the regular season on Friday when they play host to instate rival Louisiana Tech.
