BEAUMONT, Texas - Starting the four-game home stretch on the right note, Lamar will take on a tough Rice squad Sunday at the LU Soccer Complex. The match is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+. 
 
PREVIOUSLY
Lamar posted a four-goal night Thursday against Texas Southern defeating the Tigers, 4-1, at the LU Soccer Complex. Big Red recorded 25 shots and had goals from Lauren Smith, Cena Carlson, Mariana Cardenas and Kam Jalayer. 
 
NEED ASSISTance
Keying LU's early 2-0 lead was Annika Kassenbrock, who assisted on goals to Smith and Carlson in five minutes. She already has three assists to lead the Cardinals and has jumped up to a tie for second in the Southland Conference. 
 
WE'LL HAVE WHAT OUR DEFENSE IS HAVING
LU remains one of the top defensive teams in the Southland Conference, having given up one goal or fewer in all but one of its six games this season. The eight goals the Cardinals have allowed are currently the second fewest in the SLC behind Northwestern State, which has conceded five. 
 
ALL-TIME VS. RICE
The Cardinals are winless in their four previous meetings against Rice. Last season, LU jumped out to an early 1-0 lead before the Owls rallied back to win 2-1. 
 
ABOUT THE OWLS
Rice is 4-1 after a 2-1 win over UL Lafayette Sunday. Leah Chancey, the Owls' leading scorer, netted the winning goal in the 85th minute. The Owls are currently third in the American Athletic Conference averaging 2.6 goals per game. 
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will host their first meeting all-time with Texas A&M-San Antonio Thursday at the LU Soccer Complex. The match is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 

#PeckEmCards