HAMMOND, La. – Sofia Wilby scored Lamar University's only goal in the seventh minute, and the Cardinals' stifling defense took care of the rest, shutting down Southeastern Louisiana for a 1-0 victory Sunday evening at Strawberry Stadium. Big Red maintains sole possession of first place in the Southland Conference standings, three points clear of both Houston Christian and UIW.
The Cardinals (9-2-4, 6-1-1 SLC) recorded their seventh shutout of the season and the 40th of the Nathan Kogut era, tying the school record for the most shutouts in a coaching tenure, previously held by Steve Holeman (2016-21).
Lamar finished the match with 10 shots, including five on goal. Wilby's third goal of the season came on an assist from Marissa Gross. Keely Thomas made four saves to record her fifth shutout of the season, moving into a tie for sixth place on the program's single-season list. It is also the most by a Cardinal goalkeeper since Nicole Panis recorded 10 shutouts in 2023.
LU took a 1-0 lead on its first shot of the match as Wilby and Gross executed a give-and-go before Wilby scored with her right foot. The Lions had two chances to equalize a minute later, but Thomas turned away both attempts. The Cardinals then held SLU without a shot over the final 37 minutes of the first half and carried their one-goal lead into the break.
Southeastern attempted five of its eight shots in the second half, but was unable to find the equalizer. Thomas stopped a free kick in the 55th minute before making a one-handed save on a header in the 70th minute. Then, with 10 minutes remaining, the Lions appeared to have an open-net opportunity, but Riley Wilson cleared the ball off the line to preserve the lead. Lamar had several chances to add an insurance goal but held on for the shutout victory.
Big Red next heads west on Interstate 10 to face Houston Christian on Sunday, Nov. 1, at Sorrels Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., and the match will be streamed on ESPN+.
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