BEAUMONT, Texas – Looking to build off the most successful season in program history, the Lamar women’s soccer team opens the 2013 season by hosting Prairie View A&M at 7 p.m. Friday at the Lamar Soccer Complex.

Lamar follows that game with a road contest at Northern Arizona at 2 p.m. (Central) Sunday in Flagstaff, Ariz. That game will be televised on Fox Sports Arizona.

The Cardinals were 11-9-1 last season, setting a school record for wins. Lamar finished with a 6-2 mark in the Southland Conference, good for second place. The Cardinals dropped a 2-1 decision in the Southland Conference Tournament title game to Stephen F. Austin.

This year, Lamar, which returns nine starters, is picked to finish second in the conference behind Stephen F. Austin, but the Cardinals are hoping this is the season they claim their first-ever conference crown.

“Right now, we’re focused on this weekend,” second-year Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “Prairie View is picked to win its conference (SWAC) and Northern Arizona is a tough place to play because of the altitude. These will be two good tests for us.”

The Northern Arizona game will be a bit of a homecoming for Cervantes, who went to Corona Del Sol High School in Tempe, Ariz. His parents, who live in Gilbert, Ariz., will be in attendance.

“I’m looking forward to seeing them at the game,” Cervantes said. “It should be special.”

Lamar juniors Kimmy Albeno and Kristin Bos are chasing the Lamar career record for goals scored, held by Lisa Hance with 18. Albeno enters the season with 17 goals, while Bos has 16. The two are also in sight of the Lamar career record for points, held by Hance with 49. Bos has 41 points, while Albeno has 40.

The first 100 fans in attendance at Friday’s game receive a free Lamar soccer T-shirt courtesy of FivePoint Credit Union. There will also be a Kids Zone with face painting and a Wii station. In addition, there will be a postgame autograph session.

Tickets for all Lamar soccer games are available online at www.LamarCardinals.com, by phone at (409) 880-1715 and at the Montagne Center ticket office. Tickets will be available at the Lamar Soccer Complex ticket office one hour before game time.

#LUsoccer