BEAUMONT, Texas – After waiting almost the entire 90 minutes before scoring a goal, the Lamar University Cardinals weren't going to let a few more minutes for the officials to discuss the merits of the goal bother them.
 
When all was said and done, the officials decided that Mari Olastuen's goal with 18 seconds remaining in regulation did indeed count, giving the Cardinals a 1-0 victory over the Nicholls Colonels in the Southland Conference women's soccer opener for both teams at the LU Soccer Complex on Friday night. It was the 50^th win in program history for LU, which started soccer in the 2007 season.
 
Olastuen lofted a shot over Nicholls goalkeeper Amanda Boylston and started to celebrate after the ball tickled the twine. The celebration was halted when the officials appeared to declare no goal, but after a lengthy consultation, the goal was allowed to stand, setting off another celebration by the Cardinals. Jannet Hernandez was credited with the assist.
 
"I don't know what the issue with the goal was," LU coach Orlando Cervantes said. "The ball definitely hit the net. I thought they were saying that it was offsides, but that wasn't the case."
 
LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy made nine saves to record her first career shutout. Lovejoy made a pair of scintillating saves in the first half to rob Nicholls' Spencer Valdespino, but the LU defense limited the Colonels' chances in the second half.
 
"Lauren made some big saves early, and that helped her confidence," Cervantes said. "But our defense also did a great job. I don't mind if Nicholls takes those outside shots all night long."
 
With the win, LU (5-4-0 overall, 1-0-0 Southland), improved to 7-2 all-time against Nicholls. It's the second straight year the Cardinals opened Southland play with a win.
 
"It's a big win," Cervantes said. "We know every game in the Southland Conference is going to be tough. I'm very proud of the way this team played hard all night. They showed a lot of heart."
 
The Cardinals close the non-conference portion of the regular-season schedule when they travel to Texas State at 1 p.m. Sunday. LU stays on the road for Southland Conference games at Northwestern State and Central Arkansas next weekend before returning home to host Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Oct. 2.
 
"We know Sunday will be a tough game for us, especially coming off such an emotional win," Cervantes said. "We have to be mentally strong."