BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women's soccer team hit three posts and missed a penalty kick as they were defeated by Southern Miss. 2-1 on Thursday afternoon in non-conference action. The game was called early because of weather.
 
"We certainly played well enough to win today but we weren't able to overcome a slow start and some miscues," remarked head coach Steve Holeman. "We outshot them 16-5 after the first 15 minutes but just weren't able to finish our chances. Unfortunately, the game got called early because I thought we had some momentum after we scored.  We just need to learn from this and move forward."
 
The Cardinals outshot the Golden Eagles in the contest, 17-12. LU had eight shots on goal. The Cardinals were called for two offsides in the match.
 
Early in the first half, the Cards had the best scoring chance when Lucy Ashworth fired a shot to the lower left-corner, but Kendell Mindnich made a diving save keeping the game scoreless.
 
Following the Cardinals scoring chance, the Golden Eagles came back with its back to back scoring chances. Ariel Diaz and Hailey Pohevitz both put shots on goal and Sandra Nygard made the saves. Two minutes later, JoAnnie Ramos came out and scored off a corner kick putting the Golden Eagles ahead 1-0.
 
Late in the first half, the Cardinals had two great scoring opportunities. Ashworth took a shot that went off the right post and seven seconds later Ali Hebert followed with a shot, which also went off the post and the Cards trailed 1-0.
 
Two minutes later, the Golden Eagles took a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals. Mackenzie Hamilton found Alice Campos who beat the Cards goalie extending its lead. Lamar had two more scoring chances in the first half but Mindnich recorded the saves. LU trailed 2-0 ending into halftime.
 
Southern Miss. kept the scoring chances going in the second half but Nygard continued making the saves. In the 66 minute of the contest, Ashworth took a shot and she tried to go bottom left side, but the Golden Eagles made the save. Three minutes later, Ashworth fired a shot that went wide right.
 
After the Golden Eagles were called for a foul in the box, Anna Loftus took the penalty kick but Mindnich made a diving save keeping the Cardinals off the scoreboard.
 
Five minutes later, the Cards had a free kick opportunity where Loftus made a touch pass to Ashworth who fired the shot past the goalie putting the Cards down 2-1. After the goal, the contest went into a weather delay, and the came could not be resumed. LU was defeated by Southern Miss. 2-1.
 
The Cardinals return to action on Sunday, Sept. 1 when they host Alabama. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from the LU Soccer Complex.