BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals open a three-game homestand to wrap up the regular season with a pair of Southland Conference contests at the LU Soccer Complex this weekend.
 
The Cardinals (1-12-3 overall, 0-5-3 Southland), who are in a must-win situation, host the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (2-13-0, 2-6-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, and the Houston Baptist Huskies (5-9-1, 3-4-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
"We've played better as of late," said LU coach Steve Holeman, whose team is 0-1-2 in its last three games. "We feel we can be competitive in both games this weekend. We just have to put together a full 90-minute effort."
 
Sophomore Jordan Mulnix scored both of LU's goals last week, as the Cardinals dropped a 2-1 decision at Abilene Christian before battling to a 1-1 deadlock with Incarnate Word. Mulnix, who tied a single-season LU mark with 12 goals last season, has three goals and one assist in her past four games.
 
"Jordan has been coming up with goals when we needed them," Holeman said. "She's creating opportunities. People are starting to see the Jordan Mulnix who scored all of those goals last season."
 
Junior goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy is expected to make her sixth straight start for the Cardinals. Over her last three games, Lovejoy has posted a 1.24 goals-against average, allowing four goals over 290 minutes while making 29 saves for a save percentage of .879.
 
"Lauren has come up with some big saves," Holeman said. "She's played well."
 
The Islanders, who had their two-game winning streak snapped in a 6-2 loss to league-leading Central Arkansas on Sunday, have received three goals apiece form Shayla Spearman and Yvette Franco. Jordan Wainwright (2-8-0, 3.28) is expected to get the start in goal for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
The Islanders hold a 2-1 edge in the all-time series, including a 2-1 home win over LU last season. The teams have met only once in Beaumont, with the Cardinals emerging with a 3-0 win at the LU Soccer Complex on Oct. 13, 2013.
 
Houston Baptist, which is at McNeese at 7 p.m. Friday before facing the Cardinals on Sunday, enters the weekend in a three-way tie with Nicholls and Southeastern Louisiana for the final three spots in the Southland Conference Tournament, one point ahead of McNeese and seven points ahead of LU.
 
The Huskies have dropped three straight games heading into Friday's contest at McNeese.
 
Gabby Rodriguez leads the Huskies with six goals and 12 points, one point ahead of Allison Abendschein and Sabriah Spencer, who each have 11 points on four goals and three assists. Alanis Guevara (2-4-0, 1.35) is expected to get the start in goal for HBU.
 
Friday's game is Ladders vs. Badges Night, with all first responders receiving free admission with a valid ID. There will be a halftime game between area law-enforcement personnel and firefighters.
 
Sunday is Campers Reunion Day, with all youths who attended this summer's LU soccer Camp receiving free admission if they wear their camp T-shirt. There will be a free youth soccer clinic following the game.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.