BEAUMONT, Texas – The goal for the forwards on the 2015 Lamar University women's soccer team is rather obvious: Score more goals.
 
The Cardinals scored just 20 goals in 18 games last season as they finished 5-11-2 overall; and scored just 12 goals in 11 Southland Conference games, finishing 3-6-2 and placing eighth in the conference.
 
The good news is that the LU attackers have looked good over the first two weeks of practice heading into the Aug. 21 season opener against San Jose State.
 
"We've done a good job of finishing, which is something we struggled with last season," LU coach Orlando Cervantes said. "That's something we're definitely focusing on."
 
Nine of those 20 goals last season came from LU's all-time leading scorer Kimmy Albeno, who has since graduated. Cervantes feels this season's group of forwards can make up for Albeno's departure.
 
"Last year, I think we expected Kimmy to do everything at times," Cervantes said. "We had some players really step up during our spring season, and that's carried over into our practices."
 
Senior Jannet Hernandez (2G, 3A, 7 points), who is fourth on LU's all-time list for goals and points, was named a second-team preseason All-Southland Conference performer. Teamed with fellow seniors Morgan Burden (0-1-1) and Mari Olastuen (2-0-4), the Cardinals have plenty of experience on the attack.
 
"We have to shoot more this season," Hernandez said. "You can't score if you don't shoot."
 
Cervantes is also looking for big things from sophomore Alexus Aviles (1-2-4), who stepped up her game during the spring season. Cervantes is also looking for a bounce-back year from junior Jennifer Yacuta, who was held without a point last season after collecting 10 points on four goals and two assists as a freshman. Freshman Jordan Mulnix, who led Flower Mound High School in scoring last season with 28 points on 10 goals and eight assists, adds depth to the forwards.
 
"We know we have to do better this season," said Burden, who was named a co-captain this season. "We made it to the Southland Conference finals my freshman year, but haven't made the tournament the last two seasons. I'm going to do whatever I can to get back to the tournament as a senior. I'm going to give it all I have. No excuses."
 
Cervantes is confident that this year's edition of the Cardinals can do a better job filling the nets.
 
"I think we're mentally tougher this season," he said. "We're hungrier as well. We don't want to miss out on the tournament again."
 
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