BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team looks to break into the win column this weekend when it hosts a pair of non-conference games at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
The Cardinals (0-2-0) host Texas Southern at 7 p.m. Friday and LSU-Alexandria at 5 p.m. Sunday before hitting the road for three straight games. The Cardinals opened the season with a 3-0 loss to visiting San Jose State on Aug. 21 before dropping a 2-0 decision at Louisiana Tech on Aug. 23.
 
"We're pushing them in practice," Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said of his team. "We have to play faster and take more chances. I'm hoping we can explode on offense this weekend."
 
Texas Southern (1-1-0) opened its season with a 1-0 loss at Houston Baptist, the defending Southland Conference champion, before claiming a 1-0 overtime win over visiting St. Thomas. LSU-Alexandria is officially 0-0-0. However, the Generals fell to host Northwestern State by a 4-1 score on Aug. 21. That game counted on Northwestern State's record, but for LSU-Alexandria, which is a member of the NAIA.
 
"Texas Southern is a much-improved team. They're well coached and they're getting better every year," Cervantes said. "They're a tough team to bat. Obviously they gave Houston Baptist a tough battle."
 
The LSU-Alexandria soccer program is in its second year. Last season, the Generals went 9-8-1.
 
"They are a very physical team," Cervantes said of the Generals. "They will dig and scrap. We're going to have to fight for everything."
 
Sophomore Lauren Lovejoy is expected to make her third straight start in goal for the Cardinals. Lovejoy, who is seeking her first career win, has a 2.50 goals-against average and a .722 save percentage for LU this season.
 
Friday's game against Texas Southern will be the 50^th game the Cardinals have played at the LU Soccer Complex. LU is 28-16-5 all-time at the facility, which opened on Sept. 25, 2009.
 
Fans attending Friday's contest will receive free LU soccer schedule T-shirts while supplies last. Sunday is Youth Day with youth soccer players receiving free admission when they show up in their team uniform. There will be a youth soccer exhibition at halftime.
 
Following this weekend's home games, the Cardinals travel to UTEP on Sept. 4, New Mexico State on Sept. 6 and North Texas on Sept. 11 before returning home to host Alcorn State at 1 p.m. Sept. 13.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or click here.