Lamar defeats Nicholls in SLC opener

September 18, 2017
BEAUMONT, Texas – Kelso Peskin and Lucy Ashworth each had a goal and an assist as the Lamar University Cardinals ran their unbeaten streak to six games with a 3-1 win over the visiting Nicholls Colonels in the Southland Conference opener for both teams on Friday night. Juliana Ocampo also scored for the Cardinals (6-2-1 overall, 1-0-0 Southland), who erupted for three goals in a span of 13 minutes, 13 seconds early in the second half after the teams played a scoreless first half. “We had our chances in the first half, but we couldn’t finish,” LU coach Steve Holeman said. “We made some adjustments and we scored two quick goals after intermission.” Peskin put LU on the board just 3:30 into the second half as she took a pass from Ashworth and beat Nicholls goalkeeper Taylor Benoit from close range. Ashworth made it 2-0 4:16 later converting a beautiful setup from Madison Ledet. Ocampo increased LU’s lead to 3-0 with 28:17 remaining in the second half as she one-timed a pass from Peskin past Benoit. Nicholls (2-5-0, 0-1-0) spoiled LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy’s bid for a fifth straight shutout when Francesa Curteis beat Lovejoy to the far corner from close range with 22:43 remaining. Emily Werenskiold picked up the assist. Curteis’ goal snapped Lovejoy’s school-record scoreless streak at 458 minutes, 27 seconds. “Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end,” Holeman said of Lovejoy’s streak. “Lauren made some great saves, but give Nicholls credit. They kept fighting and had some good opportunities.” The Cardinals outshot the Colonels 29-15 on the evening and held an 18-8 edge in shots on goal. Ashworth led the Cardinals with eight shots and six shots on goal. Lovejoy made seven saves for LU, while Benoit turned aside 15 shots for Nicholls. “We had plenty of great scoring chances,” Holeman said. “This is a great way to start conference play. LU is idle until 7 p.m. Friday when it travels to defending regular-season champion Central Arkansas. The Cardinals are at Northwestern State at 1 p.m. Sept. 24 before returning home to host Sam Houston State at 7 p.m. Sept. 29. That game is Badges vs. Ladders Night, with all police and firefighters receiving free admission. There will be a halftime soccer game between local police and firefighters. For tickets for all LU home games, please call 409-880-1715, or visit www.LamarCardinals.com. Tickets are available at the Montagne Center ticket office from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets are available at the LU Soccer Complex one hour prior to kickoff. LU CARDINALS
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