HAMMOND, La. – Kelso Peskin and Madison Ledet each had a goal and an assist as the Lamar University Cardinals remained in a tie for first place in the Southland Conference women’s soccer standings with a 2-1 victory at Southeastern Louisiana on Friday night.
The Cardinals (10-3-1 overall, 5-1-0 Southland) are tied with McNeese atop the standings. LU is one win shy of the school single-season records for wins and conference wins. McNeese kept pace with a 2-0 win over Nicholls, while Central Arkansas fell out of the deadlock with a 1-0 loss to Stephen F. Austin.
“We knew this was going to be a tough game,” LU coach Steve Holeman said. “Southeastern Louisiana is a tough team, especially at home on its turf field. This was a good win for us.”
Ledet gave LU a 1-0 lead at the 23:53 mark of the first half. Peskin started the play on a throw-in to M.J. Eckart, who flicked the ball to Ledet, who buried it behind Southeastern Louisiana goalkeeper Michaela Hawthorne for her second goal of the season. Peskin’s assist was her ninth of the season, equaling the school mark set by Mari Olastuen in 2015.
“We were fortunate to be up at halftime,” Holeman said. “Southeastern Louisiana came out with a lot of energy. They were tough to break down.
LU increased the lead to 2-0 just 6:09 into the second half on a header by Peskin off a set play from the right side. It was Peskin’s team-leading fifth goal of the season, with Ledet and Samantha Moreno picking up the assists.
Peskin remains tied for first with Savannah LaRicci of McNeese with 19 points each. Peskin and LaRicci are also tied for the top in the scoring column in conference games with 12 points apiece.
“Kelso had a great one-timer for that goal,” Holeman said. “We did a great job on that play.”
Southeastern Louisiana (3-7-3. 1-3-2) broke up LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy’s shutout bid with 21:58 remaining when Maddie Kresevic scored from the top of the box. Megan Gordon was credited with the assist.
After that, Lovejoy and the LU defense shut down the Lady Lions as the Cardinals ran their winning streak to four games.
Lovejoy made four saves for LU. Hawthorn made three saves for Southeastern Louisiana.
“We executed well tonight,” Holeman said. “It’s always good to get a win on the road.”
The Cardinals are idle until 7 p.m. Friday when they open a two-game homestand by hosting Incarnate Word. Abilene Christian comes to town at 1 p.m. Oct. 15.
“The break comes at a good time,” Holeman said. “We can rest some of our players and get them ready for the stretch run.”
LU CARDINALS
