BEAUMONT, Texas - The 2024 regular season for Lamar University's soccer team has arrived as they welcome 25th ranked Texas A&M to the LU Soccer Complex. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Last Season
The Cardinals repeated as Southland Conference champions in both the regular season (15-3-3 overall, 9-0-1 conference) and in the conference tournament. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season where they would face-off against the University of Texas in the first round.
Previously
The Cardinals held two preseason contests at their home venue. First up was a 3-0 exhibition shutout win over Blinn College that featured two goals from Taylor Conway and one from Rafiatu Alhassan. Then, they had their annual Red-White scrimmage and the contest ended in a 1-1 draw with goals coming from Arely Alaniz and Mia Ferrell.
Preseason All-Conference Stuff For You to Know
As the two-time reigning Southland Conference champions, LU was picked to finish first in the SLC preseason polls achieving 200 points with 17 first place votes. In addition, four members (Alaniz, Alana Clark, Trinity Clark, Isela Ramirez) were selected to first team preseason all-conference while Caragan Childs earned second team honors.
Coming Back for LU
17 returners from the 2023 team are on this year's squad including SLC Defensive Player of the Year Alaniz, midfielder of the year Alana Clark, first-teamer Ramirez and second teamers Childs and Trinity Clark. Also back for LU are Alhassan, Ayvah Angala, Mariana Cardenas, Conway, Viviana Duarte, Kamryn Harvey, Payton Joost, Annika Kassenbrock, Kaitlyn Niemeyer, Maddie Rich, Kaya Williams, and Riley Wilson.
Transferring In
The Cardinals are bringing in eight transfers with Reagan Adair, Ella Carmody, Taylor Howard, Marina Poljak, Olivia Smith, Anneliese Switzer, Acacia Weis, and Lauryn Woodard.
Hey Rookie, You're a Cardinal Now!
LU also added eight freshmen including Ronke Abudu, Cena Carlson, Reese Carmody, Jaliyah Clark, Erin Dull, Ferrell, Olivia Manibo, and Aaliyah Pena.
About Texas A&M
The Aggies bring back 10 starters from last season's squad that finished 10-8-4 overall and 4-3-3 in the Southeastern Conference while reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Among the returners is Jazmine Wilkinson, who led the Aggies in scoring with 10 goals and 23 total points. TAMU averaged 2.05 goals per game while they allowed 1.09 per game from a defensive standpoint.
All-Time vs. Texas A&M
The Cardinals met the Aggies one time in their program history. That came on November 10th, 2017 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament where TAMU defeated Big Red 1-0.
All-Time vs. Top 25 Teams
LU is 1-4 all-time against teams ranked in the top 25. Last season, the Cardinals defeated then #17 Xavier 1-0 at the LU Soccer Complex.
Up Next
LU will head to Abilene a week after Thursday's game for their first road contest against the Wildcats of Abilene Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
One More Thing
For this game, there will be a student meal deal at the complex where students can get hot dogs, drinks, and chips for five dollars as long as they present their student ID. Also, the first 100 fans wearing red will be given a free LU trucker hat.
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