LAKE CHARLES, La. – Bailey Fontentot made three saves for her third shutout of the season to lead the Lamar Cardinals to a 2-0 win over McNeese State in a Southland Conference women’s soccer game Friday night.

Fontenot, who had missed the two previous games, showed no ill effects from the layoff, as she challenged shots and passes throughout the game.

“Bailey’s positioning was tremendous,” Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “When she’s playing like that, it gives the whole backline confidence.”

Grace Bowman, Nicole Frank, Shavonn Johnson, Megan Campbell, Amber Thornhill and Danielle Pearce were among the defenders who helped limit the McNeese State scoring chances.

Jennifer Moore and Kimmy Albeno scored for Lamar (6-9-1 overall, 3-5-1) as the Cardinals remained in the hunt for a berth in next month’s Southland Conference Tournament.

Moore opened the scoring at the 12:17 mark of the first half, converting a header off of a beautiful cross from Kristin Bos as she elevated over a McNeese State defender and put the ball past McNeese State goalkeeper Maggie Marks, who had no chance on the play.

Albeno added some insurance with her team-leading eighth goal of the season with 3:22 remaining in the contest. Jennifer Yacuta started the play with a run down the right side before blasting a shot off of the post. Albeno slammed the rebound past Marks.

“It was great to play with an early lead,” Cervantes said. “We’re playing with a lot more confidence.”

Marks made four saves for McNeese State (5-10-1, 0-8-0).

The win was the second straight for Lamar, both by shutout. Zoey Stephenson posted a 3-0 win over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Sunday.

The Cardinals have three games remaining, and are almost in a must-win situation for all three games if they hope to make the tournament.

“We just have to keep playing the way we are capable of,” Cervantes said.

Lamar hosts Abilene Christian at 7 p.m. Friday and Incarnate Word at 1 p.m. Oct. 27 before closing out the regular season at Central Arkansas on Nov. 1.

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