BEAUMONT, Texas – The Lamar University women’s soccer team wraps up the non-conference portion of its schedule with a pair of games this weekend. The Cardinals (3-2-0) are at Rice at 7 p.m. Friday before facing Massachusetts at noon Sunday at Tomball High School in Tomball, Texas.

“This is our last chance to look at players and do evaluations before Southland Conference play starts,” said Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes, who sees his team bring a two-game winning streak into the weekend. “If we can do well this weekend, it will give us some momentum heading into our conference schedule.”

With the Southland Conference expanding to 13 teams this season, up from nine last season; Lamar’s non-conference slate dwindled from 11 games last season to seven this fall. As a result, Cervantes and his staff have been forced to speed up their evaluation process.

“That’s four less games you have an opportunity to see a player and to figure out which combinations work,” Cervantes said. “That makes every game more important.”

The weekend could also be important for junior forward Kimmy Albeno, who is on the verge of becoming Lamar’s all-time leading scorer. Albeno is tied with Lisa Hance for the Lamar career record with 49 points. Albeno already holds the Lamar career record for goals with 21. Albeno leads Lamar in goals (4) and points (9) this season.

Friday’s game will mark just the second time Lamar and Rice have met. The Owls were 5-0 winners at Rice on Sept. 28, 2007, Lamar’s first season of soccer. The Cardinals have never faced UMass.

Rice (1-2-2) comes off a scoreless tie at Texas State on Sept. 8. In their only home game of the season to date, the Owls dropped a 1-0 decision to Stephen F. Austin in the season opener. Lauren Hughes leads the Owls with five points on two goals and one assist. Amy Czyz has played every second in goal this season, posting a 1.10 goals-against average.

UMass (1-3-1) claimed its only win of the season with a 1-0 victory at New Hampshire on Sept. 8. The Minutewomen are at Texas A&M on Friday before facing Lamar.

Alyssa D’Arcy (2-0-4) and Brittany Moore (1-2-4) are tied for the UMass lead in scoring. Goalkeeper Danielle Kriscenski has also played every second in the nets, registering a 1.53 goals-against average.

“We will be facing two physical teams that work hard the entire game,” Cervantes said. “These will definitely be good tests for us.”

Lamar opens its Southland Conference slate at Northwestern State on Sept. 20 before hosting Oral Roberts at 1 p.m. Sept. 22.

 

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