BEAUMONT, Texas- The Lamar University soccer team hits the road this weekend for a conference double header, which will see them play their second and third Southland Conference games of the season. Big Red will travel to Northwestern State (4-5, 1-0), the game is slated to begin at 7 p.m. from Natchitoches, La on Friday. The Cardinals will then return to action on Sunday Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. against Central Arkansas (1-6-1, 0-1).
 
Following a triumphant 6-0 victory against Nicholls last Saturday, the Cardinals will look to continue their strong start to the conference season. The Cardinals will search for another stellar performance by Lucy Ashworth, who has been a standout player this season. She once again showed her prowess against the Colonels on Saturday night. Breaking two program records in just the first half, Ashworth lead Lamar University (4-5, 1-0 SLC) in their rout of Nicholls State (3-4-1, 0-1 SLC). Ashworth scored four goals and had an assist in the first half and one assist in the second half before calling it a night, leaving her mark on the game in just 43 minutes of play. She set new Lamar records for goals in a game and points in a game in the process.
 
Following her impressive showing on Saturday night, Ashworth was named Southland Conference offensive player of the week for the second successive week. Second to this, LU had a second player named in the Southland weekly awards. Sandra Nygard was dubbed Keeper of the week. Nygard saved all three shots she faced in a 90-minute shutout start playing behind a strong defensive effort. Big Red allowed only 12 total shots all game with just three on-target.
 
Friday's contest against the Demons will be the first match up of the two teams this season, LU is currently riding the wave two-game win streak against Northwestern State with the last match resulting in a 1-0 victory by Big Red on Sept. 23, 2018. Sophomore Anna Loftus' decisive goal in the 65th minute sealed the victory in a closely contested affair at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
Friday's match up looks to be a similarly tightly contested game. The Demons are currently running off a four-game win streak. Their last match coming in the conference opener against Stephen F. Austin last Friday where they won 1-0. The Demons will look to seize upon the hot start of forward Olivia Draguicevich who has racked up four goals and eight points this season.
 
Following the contest against Northwestern State, LU will then travel to Conway, Ark. to face Central Arkansas (1-6-1, 0-1) on Sept. 29. Sunday's contest against Central Arkansas will be the first match up of the season. In previous matches, Big Red and Central Arkansas have won 6 games apiece. The last contest between the two universities saw a 3-1 Cardinal victory on last season. Central Arkansas is currently in the midst of minor two-game losing streak having lost to Sam Houston State, 3-2, in their conference opener last weekend.
 
Following the matches this weekend, LU will return home to play Stephen F. Austin (3-5, 0-1) on Oct 4 at the LU Soccer Complex.