BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University soccer team looks to keep its hopes alive for a Southland Conference Tournament berth with a pair of crucial games this weekend.

The Cardinals (4-8-1 overall, 1-4-1 Southland) are at Sam Houston State (4-7-1, 2-3-0) at 7 p.m. Friday before hosting Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (2-9-0, 1-4-0) at 1 p.m. Sunday. The Cardinals enter the weekend with four points, three points out of a tournament berth with six games to play.

“We have to find a way to get it done,” Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “We have to stay positive. We’re still in the race.”

The Cardinals split a pair of road games last week, grabbing a 2-1 victory at Nicholls before dropping a 3-1 decision at Southeastern Louisiana. Those games saw the Cardinals score their first goals in conference play this season.

“I think those goals gave us some confidence,” Cervantes said. “We just had our best practice of the year. The players know it’s still right there for the taking.”

Sam Houston State leads the overall series with Lamar 4-3-0. Lamar claimed a 2-0 victory last season in Beaumont as Bailey Fontenot made four saves for the shutout. Kristin Bos led the offense with a goal and an assist, while Jannet Hernandez also scored for the Cardinals.

Mariah Titus leads the Bearkats in scoring with 11 points on five goals and one assist. Kylie Hambleton has a 1.37 goals-against average.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Lamar and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, which is fielding a soccer program for the first time.

The Islanders are led by Yvette Franco, who has 19 points on eight goals and three assists. Audrey Baldwin has played every second in goal for the Islanders, posting a 2.05 goals-against average.

Kimmy Albeno leads Lamar in scoring with 13 points on six goals and one assist. Hernandez has four goals and three assists to sit in second on the team in scoring with 11 points.

Tickets for Sunday’s game are available online at www.LamarCardinals.com, by phone at (409) 880-1715, or at the Montagne Center ticket office from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. weekdays. Tickets will be available at the Lamar Soccer Complex one hour prior to kickoff.

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