BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University women's soccer coach Steve Holeman pointed to the field at the LU Soccer Complex approximately 20 minutes before Wednesday afternoon's 3:30 practice. "That's what makes this team so special," he said. "Almost everybody is here. That is a special group. They are willing to do the extra work needed to be successful."
 
That work has paid off, as the Cardinals enter the penultimate weekend of the Southland Conference season tied for first place with three games remaining. It's been quite a turnaround for the Cardinals (12-3-1 overall, 7-1-0 Southland Conference), who have established single-season school records for wins and conference wins just one season after going 2-14-3 overall and 1-7-3 in conference play.
 
"There is a different dynamic to this team," said Holeman, who is in his second year with the Cardinals. "The returners have made progress and really contributed. We've also brought in some impact newcomers who have really made a difference."
 
Newcomers comprise three of LU's top scorers this season. Junior Kelso Peskin, a transfer from Tyler Junior College, leads the Cardinals with six goals, nine assists and 21 points. Freshman Lucy Ashworth is second in scoring with 12 points on four goals and four assists, while freshman Madison Ledet is fourth with 10 points on two goals and six assists. Senior midfielder M.J. Eckart is third in scoring with 11 points on four goals and three assists.
 
Senior goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy has played every second this season, posting a 1.11 goals-against average while tying the school single-season record with six shutouts.
 
The Cardinals have already locked up a spot in next month's Southland Conference Tournament in Corpus Christi, Texas. It will be LU's first appearance in the tournament since 2012, when they advanced to the finals.
 
Holeman and the Cardinals aren't satisfied to just make the tournament. They control their own destiny as they can earn the top seed in the tourney by winning their remaining three contests.
 
That next game is at 7 p.m. Friday at defending Southland Conference Tournament champion Houston Baptist (6-5-2, 5-2-1). The Cardinals are at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (6-6-2, 3-4-1) at 1 p.m. Sunday before hosting McNeese (11-3-1, 7-1-0) at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 in what right now looms to be a showdown for first place.
 
"We're doing our best not to look ahead," Holeman said. "I've been saying this for the last few weeks. We're taking it one game at a time. Right now, our focus is squarely on Houston Baptist."
 
Ellee Hall leads HBU in scoring with eight goals and 16 points.  Hall has five goals in SLC play. Alanis Guevara has played the bulk of minutes in goal for the Huskies, posting a 5-5-2 record with a 1.21 goals-against average.  Guevara has a 0.82 goals-against average in conference play.
 
"We know Houston Baptist will be tough, especially at their place," Holeman said. "They are a very good team. They're similar to us and they're dangerous on the attack."
 
On Sunday, the Cardinals will take on the Islanders, another team enjoying a record-setting season. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's six wins are a school record, while the 16 goals scored tie the school mark. The Islanders, who host McNeese on Friday night, have won two straight, claiming road wins at Central Arkansas and Northwestern State last weekend.
 
Brooke Erdmann leads the Islanders offensively with four goals and eight points. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi uses a three-goalkeeper rotation that has combined for a 1.16 goals-against average and four shutouts.
 
Sunday's game at Dugan Stadium will give the Cardinals a sneak peek of the artificial turf field that will be used for the conference tournament.
 
"It's a different game on turf," Holeman said.
 
The good news for the Cardinals is that they are 2-0 on turf this season, with road wins at Texas Southern and Southeastern Louisiana.
 
"This team has done so much this year. We've rallied to come from behind. We've blown leads and come back to find a way to win," Holeman said. "They really believe in themselves."