BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals turned in one of their strongest efforts of the season Friday night, battling defending Southland Conference champion Southeastern Louisiana to a 1-1 tie at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
The Cardinals (1-11-2 overall, 0-4-2 Southland) seemed to be on their way their first conference win of the year until Southeastern Louisiana's Linda Karlsson caromed a shot off the post and into the net with 2:02 remaining in regulation to tie the game at 1.
 
"We just can't catch a break," lamented LU coach Steve Holeman afterward. "We gave it a great effort, but we just couldn't come away with the three points."
 
The game turned into a goalkeeper's duel between LU's Lauren Lovejoy and Southeastern Louisiana's Hope Sabadash. Lovejoy finished the night with 11 saves, while Sabadash, a first-team All-Southland Conference selection last season, turned away eight shots.
 
"We had some great opportunities on breakaways, but their goalkeeper made some big saves," Holeman said. "I thought Lauren played very well for us."
 
The Cardinals got on the board first as Tori Alaniz notched her first goal of the season just 11:50 into the game, converting a nifty pass from Jordan Mulnix, who made a scintillating rush down the left side of the field.
 
"Jordan was incredible today," Holeman said. "She really used her speed to her advantage. Her and Tori both had some great opportunities."
 
Mulnix launched a career-high seven shots on the evening, with three shots on goal, while Alaniz took three shots, with two shots on goal.
 
Southeastern Louisiana (5-7-2, 2-3-1) held a 25-20 edge in shots for the game, outshooting LU 6-1 in the second overtime. The depleted Cardinals saw five field players play all 110 minutes, while two others played all but two minutes.
 
"You could see us getting worn down at the end," Holeman said of his lineup. "All of the injuries have taken its toll. It's tough when you have so many players playing every minute. You could see us getting tired."
 
The Cardinals are idle until 7 p.m. Friday when they travel to Abilene Christian. LU wraps up the road portion of the schedule at 1 p.m. Oct. 14 at Incarnate Word before closing out the regular season with three home games.
 
"We still control our own destiny," Holeman said. "We still have five games remaining. I was very happy with what I saw tonight. We just have to keep that going next week."