BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals saw their hopes of reaching the Southland Conference Tournament come to an end Friday evening, as the visiting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders rallied for a 2-1 win at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
"It's a tough loss," LU coach Steve Holeman admitted. "We played well enough to win. We certainly had our chances, but we didn't capitalize. We had two bad breakdowns and they punished us."
 
The Cardinals (1-13-3 overall, 0-6-3 Southland) jumped on the board first as Angelica Hernandez scored her first goal in an LU uniform, converting a pass from Jordan Mulnix at the 19:27 mark. Mulnix ran her point streak to five games, as she has three goals and two assists in that span.
 
LU outshot the Islanders 13-7 over the first 45 minutes, with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi goalkeeper Jordan Wainwright stoning Mulnix on a two occasions.
 
"We should have had more goals," Holeman said. "Their keeper made some nice saves and we hit the post a few times."
 
The Islanders (3-13-0, 3-6-0) drew even 8:18 into the second half as Yvette Franco headed a shot past LU goalkeeper Rachel Gries, who was making her first start since Sept. 25, when she was injured in a loss to Central Arkansas.
 
The Islanders netted the game-winning goal with 2:52 remaining in regulation as Brooke Erdmann got behind the LU defense and got one past Gries to set off a celebration on the Islanders' bench.
 
Gries finished with five saves for the Cardinals, while Wainwright turned aside six shots for the Islanders.
 
"We were already thinking about overtime, and then they take advantage of a breakdown and score the winner," Holeman said. "I feel so bad, because I want these players to enjoy some success."
 
Mulnix had three of LU's seven shots on goal. Mulnix and M.J. Eckart each had four total shots for the Cardinals.
 
"Jordan is playing well," Holeman said. "I also thought Marie Lund had one of her best games as a target forward. We've been working with her, and you can see it starting to pay off."
 
The Cardinals return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday when they host Houston Baptist on Camp Reunion Day. All youth soccer players who attended the LU Summer Soccer Camp will be admitted for free if they wear their camp T-shirt to the game. There will be a special clinic for youngsters following the game.
 
LU closes the regular season at 7 p.m. Oct. 28 by hosting archrival McNeese on Senior Night.