Box Score BEAUMONT, Texas – After delaying the game for over an hour, Lamar University came out with two early goals and earned a big Southland Conference victory over Stephen F. Austin, 4-1, Friday evening at the LU Soccer Complex. The Cardinals dominated the ball and put up 25 shots compared to just nine for the Ladyjacks.
 
"Being cooped up we were eager to get on the field and get this started," said LU head coach Steve Holeman. "After being on the road last week, we were very motivated to be back in front of our fans, and it really energized our team to see that they stuck around for the game. I would say the beginning of game is the best we've played all year."
 
The lightning wasn't the only thing striking early Friday. Junior Esther Okoronkwo came out firing with two goals before the seven minute mark. The first of Okoronkwo's goals came off a set piece. Junior Lucy Ashworth took a corner from the right side, and Okoronkwo met the ball with her head. The ball bounced around and found its way into the net, putting the Lamar up 1-0.
 
The Cardinals were back on the attack just minutes later as Okoronkwo buried another shot in the back of the net. A few quick passes and a lovely ball into the striker's feet forced the Ladyjacks to concede a penalty. Okoronkwo stepped up to the spot and netted her second goal of the match.
 
SFA did not go away quietly. The visitors cut the lead in half when Katelyn Termini came into the game and got one-on-one against a Cardinals' defender. Termini managed to get it passed the goalkeeper for would be their only score of the game.
 
Going into the second half, the Cardinals knew they needed more offense with the threat of lightning still in the area. Ashworth continued to fire away recording 10 shots on the night (four of those on target). After 60 minutes, Ashworth hit the back of the net. With a free kick from roughly 35 yards out, she hit it hard, and it deflected if off an opposing player to find its way into the bottom left side of the net.
 
"We knew weather could cut the game short," added Holeman. "So we viewed this like a sudden death game. We needed more than a one-goal lead and we came out with the same fury we had in the first and created good chances and we were able to capitalize on them."

Nine minutes after Lamar's third goal, they struck again. Okoronkwo got her third goal of the game off another corner. A long cross in from Ashworth again found Okoronkwo's head, and she made no mistake. The ball found its way into the bottom left corner of the goal, and the Cardinals grabbed a 4-1 lead.
 
The game was called early due to lightning in the area. The game ended with the Cards beating SFA, 4-1.
 
The Cardinals will kick off again this Sunday at 1 pm when they host another Southland Conference clash against Sam Houston State.