BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University soccer team closes out the 2016 season by hosting McNeese on Senior Night at 7 p.m. Friday at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
The Cardinals (1-14-3 overall, 0-7-3 Southland) hope to play the role of spoiler at the expense of the Cowgirls (8-8-1, 4-5-1), who would secure a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament with a win or a tie.
 
It's been a tough season for the Cardinals, who saw their roster decimated by injuries starting the first week of the season. LU has been without the services of several starters for most of the campaign.
 
"We still have something to play for," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "It's our last home game of the season, and it's against a rival. It would be great for our players to end the season on a positive note."
 
Sophomore forward Jordan Mulnix and junior midfielder M.J. Eckart are tied for the team lead in scoring for the Cardinals with 10 points apiece. Mulnix has four goals and two assists, while Eckart has a team-leading five goals.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Gries (1-11-1, 2.35) is expected to get the start for LU. Gries has two shutouts and a .738 save percentage this season for the Cardinals.
 
McNeese is led offensively by Savannah LaRicci, who has 24 points on nine goals and six assists. Also contributing to the McNeese offense are Kayla Goedicke with 12 points on five goals and two assists, and Bettina Brulhart and Gabi D'Alesandro with 10 points apiece. Annie Bravenec (6-8-1, 1.57) is expected to start in goal for the Cowgirls.
 
McNeese leads the overall series, 5-4. Last season, LU closed out the season with a 1-0 win at McNeese, as Eckart scored the game's only goal while Lauren Lovejoy made 12 saves for her second career shutout.
 
LU is 4-0 all-time when wrapping up the regular season at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
Prior to the game, the Cardinals will honor five seniors for their contributions to the program. Being honored are Angelica Hernandez, Brooke Kirchhofer, Patricia Lauritzen, Zoey Stephenson and Jennifer Yacuta.
 
"Senior Night is always emotional," Holeman said. "We have to find a way to channel those emotions in a positive way and carry that into the game."
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.