Box Score BEAUMONT, Texas – A perfect microcosm of the season the Lamar University women's soccer team is having can be found on the third goal Central Arkansas scored en route to a 4-1 win over the host Cardinals in a Southland Conference game at the LU Soccer Complex on Sunday.
 
Central Arkansas' Camille Bassett headed a shot that bounced off the top of the crossbar twice before landing at the feat of Teammate Ashley Smith who had an easy tap in for her sixth goal of the season.
 
"In my more than 20 years of coaching, I've never seen anything like that," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "You think for sure it's going to bounce over the net and out of play, but instead it bounces right to them."
 
LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy, who had entered the game about a minute earlier to replace injured starter Rachel Gries, had no chance on the play. Lovejoy made LU soccer history in the contest, becoming the first Cardinal to play forward and goalkeeper in the same game. Lovejoy made her first-ever appearance as a field player earlier in the match, being forced into action due to an LU bench that has been depleted by injuries. Goalkeeper Jordan Schoeb also played forward in the first half for the Cardinals (1-9-1 overall, 0-2-1 Southland).
 
"You never expect to have to use two goalkeepers in the field," Holeman said. "But we were forced to. Playing Sunday afternoon games after a Friday night game is tough enough, but to do it with such a thin bench makes it extremely difficult."
 
Central Arkansas (8-3-0, 3-0-0), which remained tied with Stephen F. Austin and Abilene Christian atop the Southland Conference standings, was led by Bassett, who had a goal and an assist. Dayna Mounie, Ashley Smith and Jordan Slim each had a goal for the Bears, while Alex Moore had two assists.
 
LU's Jordan Mulnix put the Cardinals on the board with 20:15 remaining in the second half as she took a pass from Tori Alaniz and beat Central Arkansas goalkeeper Lauren Mercuri. It was the first goal of the season for the sophomore, who tied an LU record with 12 goals last fall.
 
"It was good to see Jordan get on the board," Holeman said. "That's something she needed."
 
Gries allowed two goals and made five saves in 53:24 of action before giving way to Lovejoy, who allowed two goals and made eight saves in the final 36:36 of the match.
 
Anna Hughes played the first half in goal for the Bears, as she faced no shots. Mercuri played the final 45 minutes, allowing the goal to Mulnix while making two saves, including a solid stop of LU's M.J. Eckart.
 
LU was outshot 14-0 in the first half and 20-7 after intermission.
 
"We didn't quit, that's something I'm proud of," Holeman said. "The girls are keeping their heads up. We're going through a rough stretch right now because of all the injuries, but we keep working hard."
 
LU has a pair of road conference games next weekend, traveling to Stephen F. Austin at 7 p.m. Friday and Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. Sunday. Friday's game at SFA will be shown live on ESPN3.
 
The Cardinals return home at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 to host Southeastern Louisiana. For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com.