Box Score SAN MARCOS, Texas -- In a game that featured 20 fouls, 14 corner kicks and 35 combined shot attempts, Lamar University's soccer team came out on top with a 1-0 shutout of Texas State, capturing the first program win over the Bobcats. The Cardinal goalie Nicole Panis had four saves, and Esther Okoronkwo scored the first Cardinal goal of 2020 to put Big Red over the top.

"We're really proud of the team's effort. They were excited about the opportunity to play and they took full advantage of it. We asked them to come out and compete, and they did just that," said associate head coach Henry Zapata. "The first fifteen minutes you could tell there were some jitters, but once we settled down, we were able to create some opportunities. Esther was able to capitalize and put one in the back of the net. It was a great team defensive effort to keep a shutout. Nicole came up with a big time save in the second half that kept us in the lead. Then the team worked hard to see the win out. We're very happy with the result and look forward to the next opportunity to get back out there and play."

The Cards and Bobcats battled evenly through most of the first half until the stout Cardinal defense did not allow Texas State to get a shot off from the 21^st minute to the 41^st minute. Redshirt senior Esther Okoronkwo tallied four shots on the evening and tallied the lone goal in the 39^th minute for Lamar.

The Bobcats came out looking like a different team in the second half then the first half. The Cards could not get anything going offensively until the 56^th minute when seniors Madison Ledet and Sophia Manibo rattled off four shots within near minutes of each other.

The Cardinals outshot Texas State in shot attempts, 18-17, and shots on goal (7-4). LU stayed out of foul trouble for most of the night, only recording six totals in 90 minutes of action compared to Texas State's 14 committed fouls. The Bobcats recorded nine corner kicks to Lamar's five.

Several newcomers made their Cardinal debuts. Sophomore Nicole Panis got the starting nod in goal for the Cards, while freshmen Arely Alaniz and Julissa Farias and junior Sarah Zimmer also made their debuts.

The Cardinals are not scheduled to play again until Friday, Oct. 16 when they travel to Lafayette, La. to take on Louisiana. Kick off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (CT).