BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University looks to build on its first win of the season as it will head to Houston for a showdown against Rice at Holloway Field Sunday. The match will kick off at noon and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
PREVIOUSLY
The Cardinals earned their first victory of the season by shutting out Louisiana Tech, 1-0, in Ruston Thursday evening. Marissa Gross scored a penalty kick in the 46^th minute while Keely Thomas picked up three saves in the win.
 
SHUTOUT BUSINESS ONGOING
The Cardinals, with their second consecutive shutout this season, have tallied 34 during the Nathan Kogut era. The program record for most shutouts by a LU coach is Steve Holeman (2016-21), who led the Cardinals to 40.
 
A FIRST OVER THE BULLDOGS
Thursday's victory was the first for the Cardinals over Louisiana Tech in the series history. LU had previously lost four matches to the Bulldogs.
 
PK CLUB'S NEWEST MEMBER
Gross became the seventh Cardinal in the Kogut era to convert a penalty kick and the first since 2024 when Annika Kassenbrock scored one against East Texas A&M. In Kogut's five seasons at the helm, LU has converted nine penalty kicks.
 
ALL-TIME vs. RICE
The Cardinals are still searching for their first victory over Rice after dropping their five previous meetings. LU was shut out, 2-0, last season in Beaumont.
 
ABOUT THE OWLS
The Owls tied Houston Christian, 1-1, Thursday evening. With Rice outshooting the Huskies, 18-3, Valentina Labuschagne scored the equalizer in the 47^th minute. Lauren Pickup currently leads Rice with two goals after three games.
 
UP NEXT
The Cardinals conclude their three-game road trip when they head to Stephenville to take on Tarleton State Sunday, Aug. 30^th. The match will start at 5 p.m. and stream on ESPN+.