BEAUMONT, Texas – Lamar University midfielder M.J. Eckart was named the Southland Conference women’s soccer offensive player of the week on Tuesday for her efforts in wins over Sam Houston State and Stephen F. Austin over the weekend.
The senior from Flower Mound, Texas, had three goals and one assist for seven points over the two games while playing all 180 minutes as the Cardinals (9-3-1 overall, 4-1-0 Southland) moved into a three-way tie for first place in the conference. Eckart had a goal and an assist in Friday’s 3-1 win over Sam Houston State before scoring two goals, including the game-winner on a penalty kick with less than four minutes remaining in Sunday’s 3-2 triumph over Stephen F. Austin. It was LU’s first-ever win over the Ladyjacks.
“It was a really great weekend for us, and M.J. played a huge role,” LU coach Steve Holeman said. “In addition to her productivity in the attack, she also had a big defensive presence. Her leadership on the field was important for our success.”
The Cardinals have garnered eight weekly Southland Conference awards this season. Eckart and Kelso Peskin have been named as offensive players of the week; Juliana Ocampo, Marie Lund and Amelia Fullmer have been tabbed as defensive players of the week, while Lauren Lovejoy has been named the goalkeeper of the week three times. It’s the second weekly honor in Eckart’s career. She was named a defensive player of the week in 2015.
The Cardinals are at Southeastern Louisiana at 7 p.m. Friday. LU returns to the LU Soccer Complex for a two-game homestand starting with a 7 p.m. Oct. 13 contest vs. Incarnate Word. Abilene Christian provides the opposition for the Cardinals at 1 p.m. Oct. 15.
LU CARDINALS
