BEAUMONT, Texas - Lamar University will get set to defend its Southland Conference tournament title after clinching a postseason berth last Friday. The Cardinals, seeded seventh in the tournament, will travel to the Dr. Jack Dugan Soccer and Track & Field Stadium in Corpus Christi to open up against the second seed Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders in the first round with a 7 p.m. kickoff.
 
Previously
LU battled UIW to a scoreless draw Friday at the LU Soccer Complex on senior night. This proved to be pivotal as LU secured its spot in the postseason when Houston Christian, trailing by one conference point for the final seed, lost 4-1 to Texas A&M-Commerce. Big Red also jumped UT Rio Grande Valley, who would fall 2-0 to the Islanders, to occupy the seventh seed.
 
All-Conference Honors
Arely Alaniz and Isela Ramirez were each given all-conference nods by the SLC. Alaniz earned her third straight first-team award scoring one goal and posting two assists in 1,359 minutes while leading LU to six shutouts. Ramirez was tabbed as a second-team member, sharing the team lead with four goals and finishing second with nine points. This was her fourth consecutive all-conference honor after being named SLC first team in the last two seasons and the Western Athletic Conference's second team in 2021. Since head coach Nathan Kogut took over the job in 2022, the Cardinals have received 19 all-conference honors (14 firsts, five seconds) dating back to 2022. In addition, the Cardinals had received two goalkeepers of the year, two defenders of the year, one midfielder of the year, and one player of the year. Kogut was also twice named SLC Coach of the Year.

LU Previously Against Corpus Christi
The Cardinals hosted the Islanders on Oct. 11 and played them to a scoreless draw. LU posted 17 shots with five coming from Isela Ramirez. While facing 10 shots, goalkeeper Taylor Howard posted five saves in the match to record her first career shutout.

LU Tournament History
This marks the Cardinals' ninth tournament appearance, and they are 10-4-1 all-time in tournament play. LU has been undefeated in its last four tournament games, including last season, when it won over Northwestern State 1-1 (5-4 PK) and McNeese (3-1) to clinch the second straight SLC tournament title. Big Red and Corpus Christi will meet in the postseason for the third time ever. The Cardinals won their last two meets with the Islanders in 2017 (2-1) and 2019 (5-1).

About the Islanders
Corpus Christi enters the tournament as the No. 2 seed following a 9-4-5 overall and 6-2-2 SLC record. The Islanders average 1.17 goals per game offensively and are led by Morgan Westbury with five goals and five assists for 15 points. Zoe Theriot leads the conference with eight shutouts in goal while ranking in the top five in goals against average (5th; 1.03) and saves (4th; 81).

Up Next
Should LU win Tuesday, the Cardinals will take on either No. 3 Texas A&M-Commerce or No. 6 UIW Thursday, Nov. 7th at 7:00 p.m.
 

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