Lamar opens Southland play this weekend

by Pat Murray

September 26, 2012

Sept. 26, 2012

BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women’s soccer team opens its Southland Conference schedule with a pair of games this weekend.

The Lady Cardinals (4-6-1 overall) are at McNeese State at 7 p.m. Friday before entertaining Nicholls at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“These are the games that really count,” first-year Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “We know we won’t get an at-large bid (to the NCAA Tournament), so we have to play well enough to qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament, and win that.”

The Lady Cardinals were picked to finish second behind Stephen F. Austin in the conference this season. Lamar posted a 6-2-1 record in conference play last season, its best-ever mark in the five-year history of the program.

“We’ve played a tough non-conference schedule,” Cervantes said. “I think that helped us prepare for our Southland games.”

Kristin Bos and Kimmy Albeno each have seven goals to lead Lamar this season, as they close in on the Lamar single-season record of eight, set by Lisa Hance last season. Albeno leads Lamar with 17 points, while Bos has 16. Hance set the single-season mark for points last season with 21.

McNeese State (5-4-2) is led by Brennan Moss and Haley Lyons, who each have nine points on four goals and one assist. McNeese leads the overall series 3-2, but Lamar has won the last two meetings, including a 1-0 victory at McNeese State last season.

Nicholls (5-5) is led by Spencer Valdespino’s 12 points on four goals and four assists. Janelle Brandom and Annie Newell each have 11 points on four goals and three assists. Lamar leads the all-time series 4-1, winning the last four matchups. Last season, Lamar was a 1-0 winner at Nicholls.

For ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit LamarCardinals.com.

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