BEAUMONT, Texas – Mother Nature and the Rice University Owls both got the better of the Lamar Lady Cardinals on Friday evening.

Rice scored a pair of late goals to claim a 2-0 win over Lamar in a rain-soaked non-conference women's soccer game at the Lamar Soccer Complex. Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes wasn't making any excuses, however.

The playing conditions were the same for both teams," Cervantes said. "We're Division I players. We have to learn how to make adjustments."

Lamar goalkeeper Bailey Fontenot made six saves for the Lady Cardinals, who were outshot 23-5. Fontenot made a pair of acrobatic saves in the first half to keep the game in a scoreless tie heading to halftime.

Holly Hargreaves scored both goals for Rice (1-1-1). She opened the scoring with 19:58 remaining in the second half, taking advantage of miscommunication by Lamar. Hargreaves made it 2-0 with 10:04 remaining after taking a nifty pass from Lauren Hughes and depositing the ball past a diving Fontenot.

Amy Czyz made three saves for Rice.

Taylor Mitchell had two of Lamar's five shots.

The Lady Cardinals return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday when they host North Texas in a non-conference game. The Mean Green (2-0) were scheduled to play at Houston on Friday, but that game was canceled due to lightning.

"We're playing a tough non-conference schedule," Cervantes said. "IT's meant to get us ready for our Southland games. We have to be able to step up and meet these challenges."

Tickets for Sunday's game are available online at www.LamarCardinals.com. Tickets will be available at the Lamar Soccer Complex box office starting at noon Sunday. Sunday is Youth Soccer Day, with all youth soccer players receiving free admission when they wear their team uniform.

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