BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team closes out the home portion of its 2015 schedule with a pair of Southland Conference games at the LU Soccer Complex this weekend. The Cardinals entertain Abilene Christian at 7 p.m. Friday and Incarnate Word at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
LU (6-9-0 overall, 2-4-0 Southland) enters the weekend tied with McNeese State with six points, one point behind Texas A&M Corpus Christi, which currently holds the sixth, and final, berth in the Southland Conference Tournament with five regular-season games remaining.
 
"Every game is important," LU coach Orlando Cervantes said. "We've lost three straight games by one goal. We have to find a way to win these close games."
 
Despite the current skid, the Cardinals remain one of the most potent offensive teams in the nation. LU's 39 goals are fourth in the nation, just five behind Howard, which leads the nation with 44. The LU record for goals in a season is 41, set by the 2012 team that advance to the finals of the Southland Conference Tournament.
 
LU freshman Jordan Mulnix, who had two goals in last Friday's 3-2 loss at Southeastern Louisiana, leads the Cardinals with nine goals, a school record for freshmen. She is second in the conference and tied for 33^rd nationally in goals, and is second in the conference and tied for 43rd nationally with 21 points.
 
LU senior Mari Olastuen leads the Southland Conference with a school-record eight assists. Those eight helpers are tied for 11^th in the nation. Sophomore goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy, who has started every game this season, is third in the nation with 108 saves.
 
Abilene Christian (5-7-2, 4-1-1) enters the weekend in second place in the conference. However, the Wildcats, who are transitioning from Division II to Division I, are ineligible for the postseason. ACU brings a three-game winning streak into Friday's contest.
 
The Wildcats have a trio of players (Lindsey Jones, Sophie Stanifer and Dylan Owens) atop the team's scoring list with eight points on three goals and two assists apiece.
 
The all-time series with ACU stands at 1-1, with each team winning on its home field.
 
Sunday's game against Incarnate Word marks the third time the Southland Conference's two Cardinals meet on the field of battle. Both previous contests have ended in a scoreless tie.
 
Incarnate Word (3-10-1, 1-4-1) is 0-2-1 in its last three games heading into Friday's contest at McNeese State.  UIW enters the weekend with a scoring drought of 326:55 dating back to a 2-1 win at Nicholls on Sept. 27.
 
Emani Stewart and Abigail Koenings share the UIW scoring lead with four goals and eight assists apiece. For the season, UIW has been outscored 37-11.
 
UIW goalkeeper Sydney Huntsinger made her debut three games ago as a replacement and hasn't looked back. Although she is 0-1-1, she has a 0.37 goals-against average with one shutout and a .952 save percentage.
 
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to Friday's contest, as there will be plenty of pregame festivities. Friday is Badges and Ladders Night, as LU pays tribute to the area's first responders. All police, fire and emergency medical personnel will receive free admission to Friday's game. In addition, there will be a halftime game between the area's police and fire departments.
 
Friday is also Senior Night, as the Cardinals pay tribute to the four seniors who will be playing the final home games of their career this weekend. In addition to Olastuen, LU's seniors are Morgan Burden, Megan Campbell and Jannet Hernandez.
 
Sunday's game is Youth Day, with all youths receiving free admission when they wear their team jerseys to the game.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or click here.