BEAUMONT, Texas - Ready to reign on their Southland Conference championship from the previous season, the Lamar University's women's soccer team is set to kickoff their 2023 campaign as they open with a home contest against Abilene Christian. The first contest will be on Friday night at 7:00 p.m., at the LU Soccer Complex.
 
Previously on LU Soccer 23
The Cardinals had two scrimmages at the start of August, which took place at the LU Soccer Complex. It all began with a 6-0 exhibition win against LSU-Eunice. Last Sunday, the Cardinals hosted their red-white scrimmage, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the white squad.
 
The Quest to Repeat
The Cardinals were picked to repeat by the SLC earning 14 of 16 first place votes. This comes after a season in which LU went 15-2-2 last year and 10-1-1 in conference play. By finishing as the top seed, LU advanced to the semifinals where they won 1-0 against Houston Christian before defeating Texas A&M-Commerce 4-1 in the title game. The Cardinals then made their third NCAA tournament appearance before losing to LSU in the first round.
 
Oh to Be Sixteen Again
Once again, LU brings back 16 members from last season's team. They include graduates Cariel Ellis, Maddie Janolo, Kaisa Juvonen, Laura Linares, Hollie Massey and Nicole Panis, seniors Arely Alaniz, Alana Clark and her twin sister Trinity Clark, juniors Kolbi Coleman, Eva Karen, Annika Kassenbrock, Isela Ramirez, Madison Rabideau, and Grace Richard, and sophomore Payton Joost.
 
Six Plus One = Preseason All-Conference
The Cardinals had six preseason all-conference first-teamers in Alaniz, Clark, Ellis, Juvonen, Panis and Ramirez while Linares was picked as second team-all-conference. This is the most all-conference selections of all the programs in the conference.
 
Sixteen Tons, What Do You Got?
The Cardinals welcome in 16 newcomers to the squad. Five of them are transfers Rafiatu Alhassan, Caragan Childs, Taylor Conway, Kauany Sousa and Kaya Williams. The other 11 are freshmen Ayvah Angala, Anne Marie Cabello, Mariana Cardena, Viviana Duarte, Kamryn Harvey, Kaitlyn Niemeyer, Maddie Rich, Addison Russu, Emmi Sullivan, Riley Wilson, and Emmy Wood.
 
Watch The Birdies
The United Soccer Coaches Association (USCA) recognized Nicole Panis (goalkeeper), Arely Alaniz (defender), Isela Ramirez (midfielders), and Cariel Ellis (forwards) on their NCAA DI Women's Player's to Watch lists for their respective positions. Panis won all 15 games last season posting a 0.66 goals against average while setting school records in wins (30) and shutouts (20) and won SLC Goalkeeper of the Year honors. Alaniz, the SLC Defender of the Year, guided LU to 10 shutouts on defense while scoring two game-winning goals and assisting on two. Ramirez scored twice and assisted on six goals, which was tied for first on the team. Ellis was second on the Cardinals in scoring with 10 goals and also tied for first with six assists while earning two SLC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
 
History vs. Abilene Christian
In previous 10 meetings all-time, LU holds a 5-4-1 advantage over the Wildcats. The Cardinals are 4-1-1 in their last six meetings, which includes a 1-0 double-overtime win back in 2021.
 
Meet the Wildcats
ACU went 4-10-4 last season. Chayse Thorn led the Wildcats with six goals and earned an assists for a team-high 13 points. Jordan Michie tallied four goals and two assists for 10 points. In goal, Lili Foster posted a 2.11 GAA and had 68 saves for a save percentage of 71.6%.
 
Next Up For LU
The Cardinals will hit the road for the first time as they will travel to Huntsville next Thursday, the 24th for their 7 p.m. game against Sam Houston State.

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