BEAUMONT, Texas – After handling alligators and snakes, the Lamar University women’s soccer team should be intimidated by any opponents this season.

The Cardinals were face-to-face with the gator and snakes during a visit to Gator Country just outside of Beaumont on Wednesday. The Lamar players got a hands-on experience with a number of snakes, got to wade in a pool with young alligators and got an up-close look at Big Al, an 80-year-old gator that is the heaviest in captivity, weighing in at more than 1,000 pounds.

“This is a great team-building exercise,” Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “This is a break from the hard practices, and the players are having a good time.”

The players really enjoyed wading with the gators and being able to pick them up. For the sake of safety, the gators had their mouths taped shut. Within a short time, the student-athletes mastered the technique of catching the gators before posing with their prize catch.

Now, the Cardinals turn their focus on the Panthers of Prairie View A&M, who visit Lamar at 7 p.m. Friday in the season opener for both teams.

“We’ve looked good at practice,” Cervantes said. “I know we are eager to play.”

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

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