BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University Cardinals look to break loose from the logjam near the top of the Southland Conference standings as they host Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin in a pair of conference games at the LU Soccer Complex this weekend.
 
Friday's game is a 7 p.m. start, while Sunday's contest is slated to get underway at 1 p.m.
 
The Cardinals (7-3-1 overall, 2-1-0) Southland are in a five-way tie for second place in the SLC. The McNeese Cowgirls at 3-0 in conference play are the only team without a blemish on their mark in the SLC standings.
 
"It's too early to really talk about standings, but it shows that every conference game is important," LU coach Steve Holeman said. "We know that every game is a battle. I think it's the dream of every conference to have it where every game is competitive and where anyone can beat anybody."
 
The Cardinals are 3-0 at home this season, including a 3-1 victory over Nicholls in the conference opener back on Sept. 15. The Cardinals come in off of a conference split on the road last weekend, falling to Central Arkansas on Friday before defeating Northwestern state on Sunday.
 
"We had a nice bounce-back win against Northwestern State on Sunday," Holeman said. "Weekend road trips are tough, especially Sunday away games. I was very pleased with the way we responded."
 
LU's six goals in SLC play is the most of any team in the league. Junior forward Kelso Peskin and freshman forward Lucy Ashworth are in a three-way tie with McNeese's Savannah LaRicci for the scoring lead in conference games at seven points apiece. Peskin and LaRicci each have three goals and one assist, while Ashworth has two goals (both game-winners) and a conference-leading three assists.
 
"They are starting to click," Holeman said of the two newcomers. "They can both score and they can both make plays to set up others."
 
Peskin is tied with McNeese's LaRicci for the overall conference lead in scoring with 14 points. For the season, Peskin has four goals and a conference-best six assists.
 
Sam Houston State (4-5-0, 1-2-0) is playing its first conference road game of the season. The Bearkats split last weekend, claiming a 2-0 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and dropping a 1-0 decision to Houston Baptist.
 
Carlota-Suarez Crespo leads the Bearkats in scoring with 10 points on five goals.  Sam Houston State leads the overall series with LU 8-3. Last season, the Bearkats rallied for a 3-2 overtime victory on their home field after trailing 2-0.
 
"That was a disappointing loss," Holeman admitted. "I'm sure our returning players remember that."
 
Stephen F. Austin is 5-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play heading into Friday's game at McNeese before visiting LU on Sunday. This weekend marks the first road competition in conference for the Ladyjacks this season.
 
SFA is led offensively by Hanna Barker, who has 13 points on four goals and five assists. The Cardinals are looking for their first-ever win against the Ladyjacks, who lead the all-time series 11-0.
 
"We know SFA is always one of the top teams in the conference, but our focus right now is on Friday's game against Sam Houston," Holeman said before Wednesday's practice. "The next game is always the most important."
 
FORECAST: Friday's outlook calls for mostly clear skies with a temperature of 82 degrees at kickoff. Sunday afternoon should be mostly sunny, with a high of 90 degrees.
 
PROMOTIONS: Fans attending Friday's game will receive free T-shirts while supplies last courtesy of 5Point Credit Union. On Sunday, all youth soccer players in their team jersey will be admitted free. In addition, fans who attend Saturday's football game vs. Nicholls will be admitted free when they present their football ticket at the LU Soccer Complex box office on Sunday.
 
TICKETS: For tickets for all LU home games, please call 409-880-1715, or CLICK HERE. LU students receive free admission with their Cardinal One card. Junior Card Club members receive free admission with their membership badge.