BEAUMONT, Texas - As the Southland Conference regular season nears its end, the Lamar University soccer team is currently in a three-way tie for fifth place in the tournament picture. LU will look to improve its position Friday when it travels to Natchitoches, La., for a 7:00 p.m., kickoff against the Northwestern State Demons.
 
Previously
The Cardinals picked up four crucial points last week. After a scoreless draw with Houston Christian, LU produced its best offensive performance of the year with a 5-2 victory over first-place Texas A&M-Commerce. Cena Carlson scored twice while Isela Ramirez netted a goal and an assist. Also scoring were Olivia Smith and Annika Kassenbrock while Arely Alaniz dished out two assists. Taylor Howard posted five saves in goal.

SLC Tournament Picture
The Cardinals (5-6-5, 3-2-3 SLC) are tied for fifth in the conference with 12 points, along with UT Rio Grande Valley (7-4-4, 3-1-3 SLC) and UIW (7-7-2, 4-4-0 SLC). All three teams trail Northwestern State (8-6-2, 4-3-1 SLC) by one point. After beating Southeastern Louisiana in its last contest, Houston Christian (4-8-5, 2-3-3) remains three points behind, but is leading Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (6-4-5, 3-2-2 SLC) by one for the eighth and final seed.

All-Time vs. Northwestern State
Friday's match will be the 20th meeting between the two schools, as LU holds an 11-5-3 advantage over the Demons. The last meeting resulted in the Cardinals winning a thrilling SLC tournament semifinal match 1-1 (5-4 PK). Kaitlyn Niemeyer, Kassenbrock, and Alaniz scored three of LU's five penalty kicks, with Alaniz scoring the winner.
 
About Northwestern State
The Demons are coming off a 3-1 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Spitzer twins of Jessica and Taylor each scored while the latter earned an assist on Emily Senatore's conference-leading seventh goal. NSU averages 1.75 goals on 9.5 shots per game. Libe Banuelos has a goals against average (GAA) of 1.61 and 68 saves in goal.
 
Goalkeeper of the Week
Taylor Howard earned her first career SLC Goalkeeper of the Week honor after posting a 1.00 GAA and earning seven saves. Howard collected two saves in the draw against HCU before the five-save performance against Commerce. Winning this honor meant Howard became the second LU goalkeeper (Maddie Rich), and the third Cardinal (Alaniz) to receive the honor this season.

 
Up Next
The Cardinals will honor their seniors on Nov. 1st before their final regular season home game against UIW. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
 

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