Lamar University Press Logo

Big Red’s Offensive Fireworks Overwhelm First Place Lions

pic
LU midfielder Mia Ferrell dibbles past Nicholls State defender, Sept. 29, at LU Soccer Complex. UP photo by Brian Quijada.

COMMERCE, Texas - Lamar University picked the perfect time to post a season-high five goals and earn its first season road victory against Southland Conference leading Texas A&M-Commerce (6-8-3, 5-2-1 SLC), 5-2 Sunday afternoon. The win moves the Cardinals (5-6-5, 3-2-3 SLC) to a tie for fifth in the conference standings.

The Lions outshot LU 14-11, which included an 8-6 shots on goal advantage. Cena Carlson led the Cardinals with two goals on four shots while Annika Kassenbrock, Olivia Smith, and Isela Ramirez (assist) also found the back of the net. Arely Alaniz recorded two assists while Taylor Howard picked up five saves in goal for LU.

Forty-five seconds into the match, miscommunication by the Lions led to an open net and Carlson got the scoring started for LU. In the eighth minute, Ramirez drew a foul in the box, which allowed Kassenbrock to capitalize on a penalty kick goal, which she scored to give LU a 2-0 lead. The Lions didn't get their first shot off until the 15th minute, which led to Howard making one of her three first half saves. Each team posted five shots in the half, but the Cardinals led by two at the break.

Big Red stretched its lead to 3-0 in the 51st minute in similar fashion to the second goal. Ramirez drew her second penalty in the box while Carlson scored her second goal of the game on her second penalty kick of the season. Twelve minutes later, Alaniz took the corner kick and connected with Smith for her first goal of the year and a 4-0 lead. Commerce broke the shutout a minute later, but LU answered in the 69th minute as Ramirez collected her goal to make it 5-1. All the Lions could manage for the rest of the game was a penalty kick goal to make the final score 5-2.

With two games to go in the regular season, Big Red turns its attention to Northwestern State Friday night in Natchitoches, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

Category: Sports