BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team closes out a season-opening four-game homestand with a pair of non-conference matches this weekend.
 
The Cardinals (0-2-0) host UTRGV (1-1-0) at 7 p.m. Friday before welcoming TCU (2-0-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
"Our goal was to play a tough non-conference schedule in order to get us ready for the Southland Conference," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "We played two good teams last week (Texas State and Louisiana Tech) and we are facing two quality teams this weekend."
 
UTRGV, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, opened its season with a pair of home games, defeating Southland Conference member Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 2-1 and dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to defending Northeast Conference champion Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
Diandra Aliaga leads the Vaqueros in scoring with five points on two goals and one assist. Erica Gonzalez has played every second in goal so far this season for UTRGV, posting a 1.98 goals-against average and a .600 save percentage.
 
"We've done our research and watched quite a bit of video on UTRGV," Holeman said. "They have some young players with great speed. It will be a good challenge for us."
 
TCU, a member of the Big 12, opened its season with a pair of road wins. The Horned Frogs were 2-1 winners at Maryland before sinking Navy 1-0 in double overtime.
 
Michelle Prokoff leads TCU in scoring with one goal and one assist for three points. Courtney Hofer has played the first half of each game in goal, posting a 1.00 goals-against average. Katie Lund has played the second half and overtime sessions, posting a 2-0 record while not allowing a goal and making six saves.
 
"TCU is a different level than us," Holeman admitted. For us to beat them everything has to go right. It's going to be even tougher because TCU doesn't play on Friday, so they will be well rested."
 
The Cardinals are 0-5-1 at home in their last six contests at the LU Soccer Complex dating back to last season. LU's last win was a 1-0 decision over Nicholls on Sept. 18, 2015, in last season's Southland Conference opener.
 
Junior M.J. Eckart has LU's only goal of the season, scoring in the early minutes of Sunday's 2-1 loss vs. Louisiana Tech. Freshman Rachel Gries has a 2.00 goals-against average and a save percentage of .810. She is among the national leaders in saves per game at 8.50.
 
Holeman is excited about the improvement the team has made from Day 1 of training camp.
 
"I have seen improvement from our scrimmage against Louisiana-Monroe to the game against Texas State to the game against Louisiana Tech," Holeman said. "We have to develop that culture of winning. We have to learn how to win.
 
"These players are great. They want to be coached. They want to get better. They want to win. Their attitude is fantastic. It's going to play off in the long run."
 
Friday's game is International Student Appreciation Night, with a tailgate party for Lamar University international students getting underway at 6 p.m. Sunday is Cardinals Bass Back Program night, with fans receiving admission for just $1 when they donate new or gently used soccer equipment that will be given to the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Beaumont.