The Lamar University women’s soccer team defeated border rivals McNeese State, 2-1, Oct. 13, at the LU Soccer Complex.
The Lady Cardinals got off to a strong start by controlling the ball, shooting four times early in the first half. Despite the dominance, the Cowgirls were first on the scoreboard with a headed goal in the 25th minute.
Undiscouraged, the Lady Cardinals responded 10 minutes later when defender Arely Analiz assisted forward Isela Ramirez who was right in front of the net for a tap-in goal. The game was tied at the half, despite LU having more chances.
“We had to do a couple of things a little bit better,” Lamar head coach Nathan Kogut said. “We were all over them, we just weren’t actually shooting but we played well. (McNeese) is a good team. They made things difficult, but our kids had to work together and pull one out.”
The second half started slow for both teams, with each recording only five shots in the period. In the 61st minute, Ramirez collided with McNeese goalie Jackie Kelly in the box, drawing a foul and giving Lamar their first penalty kick of the season. Forward Cena Carlson scored from the spot giving Lamar the 2-1 lead.
McNeese had two scoring opportunities in the last minutes but could not penetrate the Lady Cardinals’ defense.
The Lady Cardinals rotated the players throughout the game, making 26 substitutions, most of them coming in the second half. Coach Kogut said he wants all his players to be ready to play.
“Sundays are squad days,” Kogut said. “We need as many people ready to play as we can, and I think we played quite a few. Looks like nine or 10 subs. We just had to dig deep. It’s the first time in a while that we’ve given up a goal first and then come back. So, it was just a lot of people pulling in the same direction.”
Ramirez ended the game with only one shot attempt, but it was a goal. Carlson recorded a team-high four shots, and both Duarte Viviana and Alaniz finished with two shots each. LU goalkeeper Taylor Howard tied her season-high with six saves.
This game marks LU’s fourth win at home and the Lady cardinals haven’t lost a home game since Aug. 25. They are now 4-6-4 overall and 2-2-2 in Southland Conference play where they sit in eighth place.
The Lady Cardinals play Houston Christian on the road at 7 p.m., Oct. 18.
Lamar returns home to play The University of the Incarnate Word, Nov. 1, at 6:30 p.m. for their final game.
