CONWAY, Ark. – The Lamar University women's soccer team suffered its first Southland Conference loss of the season, dropping a 6-1 decision to host Central Arkansas on Sunday.
 
"It's a disappointing loss," LU coach Orlando Cervantes said after his team fell to 6-6-0 overall and 2-1-0 in the Southland Conference. "We played so well on Friday (a 3-1 win at Northwestern State), but couldn't carry it over into today's game."
 
The Cardinals had a shimmering opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the opening minute of the game, but LU's Morgan Burden was stopped by Central Arkansas goalkeeper Lauren Mercuri.
 
"We had a chance to take a quick lead, but we couldn't take advantage," Cervantes said. "That's the way the day went for us."
 
Central Arkansas (5-6-0 overall, 2-1-0 Southland) opened the scoring 7:35 into the first half when Camille Bassett scored the first of her two goals on the day as she converted Alex Moore's corner kick.
 
The Cardinals would tie the game 92 seconds later on Marie Lund's first career goal. Lund scored on a header from in front of the goal, deflecting M.J. Eckart's free kick past Mercuri. Central Arkansas made it 2-1 with 16:41 remaining in the first half, depositing a loose ball past LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy.
 
The host Bears took control of the game with two goals in the first nine minutes of the second half to make it 4-1 as Bassett and Alex Moore found the back of the net.
 
Dayna Mounie and Autumn Schwartz scored late goals for Central Arkansas, as the Cardinals allowed the most goals in a game since a 7-2 loss at Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept.14 of last season.
 
Lovejoy made a career-high 10 saves in the loss.
 
"I know we're a better team than what we showed today." Cervantes said. "We had a game plan, but we didn't follow it. This is what happens when we get away from the way we are supposed to play."
 
The Cardinals return home for a pair of Southland Conference games next weekend at the LU Soccer Complex. Stephen F. Austin provides the opposition at 7 p.m. Friday in the annual Power of Pink game to promote breast cancer awareness. The Cards host Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or visit http://www.lamarcardinals.com/sports/2015/8/24/WSOC_0824152756.aspx?path=wsoc.