BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University is only five matches into the 2026 schedule and already Mother Nature as altered the original slate. The Cardinals were originally set to open their home schedule against Rice but due to the cold weather that hit the area last week the two schools had to postpone the match and now it turns into more of a home match for the Owls Friday in Houston.
 
The Cardinals (0-4) will continue one of the toughest starts to a season in the country when they travel to The Met in Houston to take on the Rice Owls. The Cardinals have played four matches to this point and three of the four have been against nationally ranked foes including one top 10 team.
 
The Owls are 2-2 (.500) on the young season with wins over UT Rio Grande Valley and Oregon and losses to Arkansas and No. 3 Stanford. Friday's match will serve as the home opener for the Owls.
 
The Owls lead the all-time series, 40-3, over Lamar – a stretch that includes eight start wins. Big Red enters the match looking for its first win since 2016 when the Cardinals recorded a 4-1 victory in Beaumont.
 
Fans can follow with the updated results by clicking HERE.
 
If Mother Nature can be kind to the Red and White this week, Lamar will kick off the home portion of its schedule Sunday with a doubleheader against Lubbock Christian. The doubleheader, which will take place at the same time as a doubleheader between the LU women Lubbock Christian, is slated for an 11 a.m. start for the first match and 4 p.m. in the second.