BEAUMONT, Texas – Its tournament time in Texas. Lamar University hosts the 2018 Southland Conference Women's Soccer Tournament starting Oct. 31 through Nov. 4 at the LU Soccer Complex. The Cardinals, are the three seed, open play in the SLC Tournament at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 as they take on the Lady Lions of Southeastern Louisiana.
 
The champion of the Southland Conference Women's Soccer Tournament will be the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.  
  
THE LAST TIME OUT – McNeese State
 
In the 2018 regular season finale, Lamar University was shutout for its fifth time this season as McNeese State defeated the Cards, 1-0. The Cowgirls scored the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute of action and outshot the Cardinals 19-6 in the match.
 
After recording five shots in the first half, the red and white only had one shot attempt in the second half, a penalty kick in the 69th minute.
 
Sandra Nygard played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded eight saves on the night. For the season, she has a record of 8-2-2 and a goal against average of 0.90.
 
"The first half matched two very good teams against each other. Each team had quality scoring chances in the half and both goalkeepers stepped up and made saves," remarked head coach Steve Holeman. "McNeese controlled the second half of the game and outworked us. It's a tough way to end the regular season but we will learn from it and get better and be ready for the conference tournament."
 
THIS WEEK – Southland Conference Tournament
 
Southeastern at Lamar – Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. - Southland Conference Tournament Quarterfinals
The Cardinals and Lady Lions are the final game of the first day of the Southland Conference Tournament. Lamar enters as the third seed, while Southeastern Louisiana comes in as the sixth seed.
 
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two schools. The first matchup came on Friday, Oct. 5 when the Cards and Lady Lions played to a 0-0 draw. In the match, Southeastern Louisiana outshot Lamar, 23-22 and 8-7 on shots on goal.
 
Southeastern Louisiana is coming off a 4-0 victory over Nicholls State. In the match, SLU scored all four goals in the last 45 minutes. Leading the way for the Lady Lions was Christina Cutura, who scored three of the four goals.
 
The Lady Lions have allowed the third fewest goals in the SLC this season. They also have recorded seven shutouts. They are only allowing 0.94 goals per game. Leading the way for the Lady Lions in goal is Nadine Maher, who has started 16 games and has made 87 saves.
 
Besides being third in goals allowed, the Lady Lions rank third in assists per game (1.47), fourth in goals per game (1.76), and fourth in assists (25). Leading the team in assists is Amber Marinero, who has six on the season, which is the second most in the SLC. The Lady Lions have 13 players with an assist on the season.
 
Leading the Lady Lions in goals this season is Christina Cutura, who has scored seven goals, which ranks sixth in the SLC. Brogan Bernadas is second on the team with four goals scored.
 
UP NEXT
The winner of the 2018 Southland Conference Tournament Quarterfinals matchup advances to the semifinals on Friday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the LU Soccer Complex. The Championship match is slated for Sunday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m.