BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team plays its first home match in almost four weeks when it hosts Northwestern State at 7 p.m. Friday to open a two-game homestand against Southland Conference foes.
 
The Cardinals (1-7-1 overall, 0-0-1 Southland) wrap up the weekend by entertaining Central Arkansas at 1 p.m. Sunday.
 
The Cardinals haven't played a game at the LU Soccer Complex since Aug. 28, when they dropped a 6-0 decision to TCU. LU went 1-3-1 on its five-game road swing, including a scoreless tie at Nicholls in the Southland Conference opener last Friday. In their last game, the Cardinals dropped a 4-0 decision at LSU on Sunday.
 
"Playing good teams like LSU helps us get ready for the conference," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "We were able to work on things that you can't replicate in practice. That is definitely going to help us."
 
Northwestern State (3-5-0, 0-1-0) has lost three straight games, including a 1-0 decision to visiting Stephen F. Austin, the defending Southland Conference regular-season champion, last Friday in its conference opener. The Lady Demons have outscored opponents by a combined 11-0 in their three wins, but have been outscored 16-1 in their five setbacks.
 
"Northwestern State gave SFA a tough game," Holeman said. "I think it's going to be a competitive game. We know that every game in the conference is important."
 
April Trowbridge leads the Demons with four goals, while Brittany Caserma and Camila Ardila have three goals apiece. Alex Latham has started all eight games in goal for Northwestern State, posting a 1.60 goals-against average with three shutouts and a save percentage of .806.
 
LU leads the overall series with Northwestern State 5-2-2, including a 3-1 road win last year, as M.J. Eckart, Jordan Mulnix and Juliana Ocampo had one goal apiece for the Cardinals. LU is 4-1 all-time against Northwestern State at home, including a 4-0 mark in the LU Soccer Complex.
 
LU coach Steve Holeman is 2-0 in his coaching career against the Lady Demons, with both victories coming when Holeman was the head coach at Ole Miss.
 
Central Arkansas (6-3-0, 1-0-0) leads the conference in wins this fall. The Bears, who are at McNeese for a conference game Friday night, opened their SLC slate with a 4-1 victory over visiting Sam Houston State last Friday.
 
Ashley Smith leads UCA in scoring with 10 points on four goals and two assists. Camille Bassett (4 goals, 0 assists, 8 points) is second on the team in scoring.
 
Anna Hughes has started all nine games for UCA, playing the first half in each contest. She is 4-0-0 with a 0.44 goals-against average and a save percentage of .867. Lauren Mercuri has played the second half of each game, posting a 1.07 goals-against average with a 2-3-0 record and a save percentage of .844. The duo has combined for five shutouts.
 
LU is 4-4-1 all-time against Central Arkansas. The Cardinals are 4-1 against the Bears in Beaumont, including a 4-0 mark at the LU Soccer Complex. Last season, UCA was a 6-1 winner on its home field against LU, with Marie Lund scoring the only goal for the Cardinals.
 
"Central Arkansas is one of the top teams in the conference this season," Holeman said. "They have played a tough non-conference schedule, and have some quality wins."
 
Freshman goalkeeper Rachel Gries, who has started all nine games for the Cardinals, is expected to get the nod in goal. Gries leads the conference in saves with 59, and her two shutouts are tied for second in the SLC.
 
Junior midfielder M.J. Eckart leads the Cardinals in goals (4) and points (8).
 
Friday's game is Military Appreciation Day, with all active and retired military personnel receiving free admission with a valid ID. Sunday is Youth Soccer Day, with all youth players receiving free admission when they wear their team jersey to the game.
 
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715 or CLICK HERE.