BEAUMONT, Texas – Jordan Mulnix wasn't just satisfied with her scoring her first career goal Friday night. By the time the Lamar University women's soccer team wrapped up its 5-0 non-conference victory over visiting Texas Southern, the freshman found her name etched in the LU record book.
 
Mulnix tied an LU record with three goals as the Cardinals (1-2-0) got into the win column for the first time this season.
 
"I didn't even know I had tied the record," Mulnix said. "I'm more excited we got our first win of the season."
 
Mulnix became the third player in program history, joining Lisa Hance and Kimmy Albeno as the only Cardinals to record a hat trick in a game.
 
"I talked to Jordan before the game and told her she had to stop being so timid," LU coach Orlando Cervantes said. "She's got a great finishing touch and she showed that tonight. Hopefully, this shows her that she can play at this level."
 
Mari Olastuen had a goal and an assist for LU, while Morgan Burden also scored for the Cardinals, who broke through on offense after being shut out in their first two games of the season.
 
"We worked at building up their confidence all week in practice," Cervantes said. "We know we have the talent to score goals, it's just a matter of getting the players to believe it."
 
The Cardinals scored three goals in a span of 7:35 midway through the first half to take control of the game. Burden opened the scoring at the 22:16 mark on an unassisted tally. Mulnix made it 2-0 a little less than six minutes later when she took a pass from Jannet Hernandez and beat a Texas Southern defender before depositing the ball into the back of the net.
 
Olastuen made a scintillating rush down the right side of the field after taking a pass from Hernanez less than two minutes later to make it 3-0 heading into intermission.
 
Any chance of a Texas Southern comeback were quickly erased after the break as Mulnix scored just 18 seconds into the second half to make it 4-0.
 
"I told the team that the game wasn't over at halftime," Cervantes said. "I wanted them to be aggressive from the start of the half, and that's wat they did."
 
Mulnix closed out the scoring with 19:04 remaining in the second half as she took a pass from Marie Lund and buried it into the twine.
 
That was more than enough support for goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy, who picked up her first career win. Lovejoy made five saves over the first 79:37 before giving way to Lauren Bond, who made one save over the final 10:23 in her collegiate debut.
 
"It was nice to have that cushion," Lovejoy said. "It felt so good to get that first win. I think this team really grew this week."
 
Liliana Hernandez started in goal and took the loss for Texas Southern (1-2-0). Hernandez allowed three goals and made four saves in the first half. Alexis Robles played the second half for the Lady Tigers, allowing two goals and making two saves.
 
The Cardinals return home to host LSU-Alexandria at 5 p.m. Sunday to wrap up the brief two-game homestand.
 
"One win does not make a season, just like two losses doesn't make a season," Cervantes said. "We have to come out Sunday and play just as hard as we did today."