BEAUMONT, Texas – On the night before Sweetest Day, the Lamar Lady Cardinals had their hearts broken.

McNeese State's Michelle Petrarca scored her first goal of the season to give the Cowgirls a 1-0 overtime victory over the Lady Cardinals in front of 323 fans at the Lamar Soccer Complex Friday night.

The loss put the Lady Cardinals (4-10-1 overall, 2-5-1 Southland) in serious jeopardy of missing the Southland Conference Tournament for the second straight season.

“It's the same problem, we just couldn't finish our chances,” a disappointed Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said afterward. “We worked on it all week in practice. Finishing your opportunities; finishing under pressure. But we just can't carry it over into the game.”

Lamar goalkeeper Bailey Fontenot made 10 saves for the Lady Cardinals, but had no chance on Petrarca's game-winner with 2:35 left in the first overtime period. Petrarca took a pass from Haley Lyons in front of the Lamar goal and blasted a shot into the far side to set off a raucous celebration by the McNeese State fans in attendance.

“I can't fault our effort,” Cervantes said. “The ladies are not quitting, but we can't put the ball into the net.”

It was the third straight loss for Lamar, all by shutout.

“You're not going to win if you don't score,” Cervantes said. “We had some great chances, but we couldn't capitalize on their mistakes. We made big mistake and the ball ended up in the back of our net.”

Lauren Sestak made six saves to get the shutout for McNeese State (6-8-1, 4-4-0).

The Lady Cardinals likely have to win their three remaining games to have a chance at qualifying for next month's conference tournament, set for Nov. 6-9 at the Lamar Soccer Complex. Even then, Lamar may need some help to get in. Lamar is at Abilene Christian and Incarnate Word next weekend before wrapping up the regular season by hosting Central Arkansas at 7 p.m. Oct. 31.

“We can't worry about what other teams do,” Cervantes said. “We have to take care of our own business and see what happens.”

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