SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Lamar University's soccer team scored two first half goals to take down the University of Incarnate Word in the first round of the Battle of Cardinals, 2-0. LU's shutout win would set a program record as they would record their fifth straight shutout, breaking previous marks that occurred from 2017 and 2021.
After scoring the game-winning goal on Thursday night, Cariel Ellis provided her fourth goal of the season while Payton Joost netted her first goal. Isela Ramirez was credited with the assist on Ellis' goal. Nicole Panis again stepped up to keep the shutout streak going as this time, she finished with four saves. LU outshot UIW 12-7 throughout the contest, including 10 on goal.
LU began the game with two goals on two shots. It would be eight minutes into conference play when LU struck first as Ellis received a pass from Ramirez and was able to get the ball past the keeper. Thanks to a friendly bounce off the post, the ball went into the net to give Big Red a 1-0 lead. The second goal would be off a corner kick from Hollie Massey towards Ellis, but would take a bounce off a UIW defender and found it's way to Joost who deflected the ball across the line for a 2-0 lead.
Although both teams would finish 2-2 in the shots department in the first half, LU's Cardinals outshot UIW's 10-5 in the second half. While LU wouldn't extend their lead any more, they didn't need to as Panis would make all four of her saves in the half. By the time the whistle blew ending the match, Big Red walked off sitting at 6-2-1 overall and 1-0-0 in the conference.
"Very happy to start off conference play with a road win," said head coach Nathan Kogut. "We talk a lot about how hard it is to win and the work that goes into creating those opportunities, and I'm happy that our team has started to see the reward for their work. We weren't sharp, but we played with the toughness needed to get 3 points and start off Southland play the right way. We know we have to be better this week against HCU."
LU will return home next Sunday to meet with Houston Christian for a 1:00 p.m kickoff.
