BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team hits the road in search of its first Southland Conference victory of the season with contests at Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston State this weekend.
 
The Cardinals (1-9-1 overall, 0-2-1 Southland) face defending Southland Conference regular-season champion SFA at 7 p.m. Friday in Nacogdoches, Texas, before facing Sam Houston State at 1 p.m. Sunday in Huntsville, Texas. Friday's game at SFA will be shown on ESPN3.
 
It's been a tough start to the season for the Cardinals, who have seen six starters lose significant playing time due to injury. The Cardinals used two goalkeepers, Lauren Lovejoy and Jordan Schoeb, at forward in last week's loss to Central Arkansas.
 
"I've never experienced anything like this in all my years of coaching," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "It's frustrating, but I'm proud of this team. They maintain a positive attitude and they keep working hard."
 
LU is looking for its first-ever win against Stephen F. Austin. The Cardinals are 0-10 all-time against the Ladyjacks, including an 0-4 mark in Nacogdoches. Last season, SFA claimed a 1-0 win at LU.
 
"They're a very talented and athletic team," Holeman said of the Ladyjacks (6-2-0, 3-0-0). "We know they will be tough to beat on their home field."
 
SFA is led by Hanna Barker, the Southland Conference's leading scorer, who has 17 points on six goals and five assists. Lillie Ehlert has appeared in all eight games in goal for the Ladyjacks, posting a 6-1 record with a 1.17 goals-against average and two shutouts. SFA enters the weekend on a six-game winning streak after opening the season with losses at Oregon State and Oregon.
 
Sam Houston State (1-9-1, 1-1-1) opened the season with nine straight losses before picking up four points on the road last weekend. The Bearkats battled to a 2-2 tie at Houston Baptist before getting their first win of the season with a 3-1 decision at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
 
"Sunday's game is important," Holeman said. "Sam Houston State is one of the teams we're battling with to get into the tournament. "I think both teams look at it as a game they have to win."
 
The Bearkats are led offensively by Allie Johnson, who has four goals and one assist for nine points. Goalkeeper Anna Kaiser, who picked up the win and the tie for the Bearkats last weekend, is 1-6-1 with a 4.20 goals-against average and a .621 save percentage.
 
M.J. Eckart continues to lead the Cardinals in scoring with eight points and four goals. Jordan Mulnix, who led LU last year with 12 goals, scored her first goal of the season last weekend in LU's 4-1 loss to Central Arkansas.
 
LU freshman goalkeeper Rachel Gries leads the Southland Conference with 70 saves, which is good for fifth in the nation.
 
Following this weekend's games, the Cardinals return home to host Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at the LU Soccer Complex. That will be the annual Power of Pink Game to raise awareness of breast-cancer research.
 
For ticket information for LU home games, call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE.