Sariyah Bailey, a freshman forward for LSU soccer, is back in Baton Rouge after representing Canada at the U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland. In her absence, LSU has struggled with a 2-7-1 record in the 2026 season, and Bailey's return is eagerly anticipated as the team looks to improve.
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Bailey has played in only three games this season, accumulating two assists and six shots, maintaining a shots-on-goal percentage of 0.500. Her early season contributions highlighted her significance, with her call-up to Canada’s U-20 team leaving a notable gap for the Tigers.
During the tournament, Bailey started four of five games. She logged 292 minutes and contributed five shots on goal as Canada faced tough opponents including England and Brazil. Her standout moment came during a 6-0 victory over Tanzania, where she registered two attempts on target. In the Round of 16, she assisted on a goal in Canada's 3-1 win against France, though Canada was eliminated after a 2-0 loss to North Korea in the quarterfinals.
Bailey’s performance at the World Cup showcased her skill, and now she aims to bolster LSU’s efforts as they look to improve their conference record, currently standing at 0-2. Bailey was a key player last season, ranking among the program's top scorers with nine goals and seven assists.
In her comeback match against Oklahoma, she scored the game-winning goal and produced a total of six shots. Looking ahead to Sunday’s home match against Georgia, head coach Sian Hudson expressed confidence in Bailey's impact: "She’s a difference maker. We’re so excited to have her back in the mix.” Her presence could be vital in securing LSU's first SEC win.