BEAUMONT, Texas – Lucy Ashworth scored her second goal in as many games to lead the Lamar University Cardinals to a 3-1 win over the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns in a non-conference game at the LU Soccer Complex on Sunday evening.
 
Kelso Peskin had two assists, while Juliana Ocampo had a goal for the Cardinals (2-0), who also took advantage of an own goal to claim their first-ever win over the Louisiana in five tries.
 
"This was a tremendous win," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "Louisiana really challenged us in the second half, but this team was able to grind out a win. That's something I'm proud of."
 
The Cardinals got on the board just 8:23 into the game when Ocampo took a pass from Peskin and beat Louisiana goalkeeper Victoria Ryan to the far side. The Cardinals made it 2-0 with 28:00 remaining in the first half on an own goal as Peskin faked a shot before her pass deflected off a Louisiana defender and past a stunned Ryan.
 
The Ragin' Cajuns (0-2) cut the LU lead to 2-1 with 5:49 remaining in the opening half when Grace Champagne's shot eluded the outstretched arms of LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy and snuck in under the crossbar.
 
Ashworth made it 3-1 with 26:56 remaining in the second half as she took a pass from Peskin and blasted a shot under the diving Ryan.
 
The shots were even at five apiece in the first half before the Ragin' Cajuns outshot the Cardinals 11-7 in the second half. Lovejoy made three of her five saves after intermission. She was aided by a strong LU defensive effort that limited the number of good scoring opportunities Louisiana had.
 
Ryan made one save while allowing the three goals over 74:29. Mackenzie Lee played the final 15:31 in goal for Louisiana, making one save.
 
With the win, the Cardinals have already equaled their victory output of 2016. Holeman is hopeful of many more to come.
 
"We're off to a good start, but there's a lot more soccer to be played," Holeman said. "We had a great effort tonight, and that's something we can build upon."
 
Peskin has a goal and four assists over her first two games in an LU uniform.
 
The Cardinals return to action at 7 p.m. Friday when they close out their season-opening three-game homestand by hosting Southern Miss. LU then opens a five-game road swing with a game at LSU at 6 p.m. Aug. 27.
 
For ticket information for all LU home games, call (409) 880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.
 

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