BEAUMONT, Texas – Jennifer Yacuta’s first career goal proved to be a memorable for the Lamar University women’s soccer team Friday night.

Yacuta, a freshman from Santa Rosa, Calif., scored with 1:41 remaining in regulation to lift Lamar to a 3-2 non-conference win over visiting Prairie View A&M in the season opener for both teams.

“We made an adjustment late with two attacking midfielders,” Lamar coach Orlando Cervantes said. “We said ‘we’re going to go for this.’ We didn’t want overtime.

Yacuta cashed in a rebound past Prairie View A&M goalkeeper Dominique Dillon after she had stopped Morgan Burden from point-blank range. Yacuta made no mistake in putting the ball into the gaping net.

Jannet Hernandez had a goal and an assist for Lamar, while Kimmy Albeno notched her 18^th career goal, tying Lisa Hance for the all-time Lamar record.

Lamar never trailed in the game, but had trouble pulling away from the Panters despite holding a 30-7 advantage in total shots.

Prairie View tied it at 2 with just 5:15 remaining in regulation on a goal by Celene Batrez.

“I thought we gave up a soft goal late,” Cervantes said. “We gave up some late goals last year. The difference is that tonight we got that goal back.”

Bailey Fontenot picked up the win for Lamar, making two saves.

Lamar returns to action at 2 p.m. Sunday with a non-conference game at Northern Arizona.

“That will be a tough game,” Cervantes said. “We’re going to have to play better than we did tonight.”

Sunday’s game will be televised by Fox Sports Arizona Plus.

#LUsoccer

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