BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals had their chances Friday night, but couldn't capitalize on them as they dropped a 1-0 decision to the visiting Northwestern State Lady Demons in a Southland Conference women's soccer game.
 
Despite being down to three healthy substitutes, the Cardinals (1-8-1 overall, 0-1-1 Southland) had the better of the play in the second half, but couldn't find a way to get the ball past Northwestern State goalkeeper Alex Latham, who made five of her six saves after intermission to register her fourth shutout of the season as the Demons moved to 4-5-0 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference.
 
"I thought we had a great effort tonight," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "Give their goalkeeper credit. She made some big saves when she needed to."
 
LU goalkeeper Rachel Gries also had six saves on the evening, but had little chance on the game's only goal as Shelby Drope took a perfect feed from Caché Haley and scored from point-blank range with 12:37 remaining in the second half.
 
The Cardinals turned up the pressure after that, but couldn't beat Latham. Samantha Moreno had two glittering opportunities in the final minutes for LU, but was robbed by Latham on one occasion and had another shot blocked by a Northwestern State defender.
 
"Northwestern State played a good defensive game," Holeman said. "They were a little bit better than us today. But I liked the way we played. I was especially pleased with the way we played in the second half. That was one of our best efforts of the year. Our goal every game is to get better, and I know we got better today."
 
Moreno and Eckart each had two shots on goal for the Cardinals. Laura Parra and Marie Lund had the other shots on goal for LU.
 
The Cardinals return to action at 1 p.m. Sunday as they host the Central Arkansas Bears (7-3-0, 2-0-0). The Bears were 5-0 winners at McNeese on Friday night.
 
"That's conference play. You have a tough game on Friday night and another tough one on Sunday afternoon," Holeman said. "We just have to be ready to play."
 
Sunday is Youth Soccer Day, with all youngsters receiving free admission when they wear their team jersey to the game.