BEAUMONT, Texas - Southland Conference play starts as Lamar concludes its four-game home stretch with a showdown against East Texas A&M Thursday at the LU Soccer Complex. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. 
 
PREVIOUSLY
The Cardinals scored a season-high 11 goals against Texas A&M-San Antonio. Each goal was assisted upon, which set the new school record, breaking the previous mark of 10.
 
FOUR SCORE AND EIGHT POINTS AGO
Lauren Smith became the third Cardinal to score four goals in a single game, joining Lucy Ashworth and Esther Okoronkwo, who both achieved theirs in 2019. Her eight points were also second behind Ashworth for most in a single game. She was given recognition by the SLC as the Offensive Player of the Week. 
 
ANNIKA=ASSISTMAKER
Annika Kassenbrock tied a school record with five assists, joining former teammate Hollie Massey. Kassenbrock now leads the conference with eight.
 
OTHER NOTABLE FIRSTS
Anneliese Switzer tallied the first multi-goal game of her career, scoring consecutive goals in the 33rd and 34th minutes, respectively. Celine Diaz (No. 11) recorded her first two goals of the season, including the team's 11th of the night. 
 
ALL-TIME vs. EAST TEXAS A&M
The Cardinals are 4-0-1 all-time against ETAMU. Last season, LU defeated the Lions 5-2 in Commerce with Cena Carlson scoring twice. Kassenbrock and Olivia Smith also found the back of the net.
 
ABOUT EAST TEXAS A&M
The Lions have lost their last three consecutive matches, including their most recent outing, 5-1, to Oklahoma State. Mya Mitchell scored her team-leading fifth goal in the match, which has her tied for second in the conference. 
   
PAYTON'S PLACE
Former Lamar Cardinal Payton Joost, now a graduate player for East Texas, makes her return to the LU Soccer Complex. A key contributor to Big Red's back-to-back SLC Championships in 2022 and 2023, she helped the Cardinals to 22 shutouts and scored one goal in a win over UIW. 

UP NEXT
LU heads out to San Antonio to take on UIW Sunday at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium. The match opens at 1 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.