BEAUMONT, Texas – The Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer team's comeback bid fell just short as they lost to Lamar University 3-2 in the first round of the Southland Conference Tournament Wednesday night at Lamar Soccer Complex.
 
The Cardinals scored the first two goals of the match. LU's first goal came by freshman Anna Loftus in the 26^th minute when she got free after some nifty dribbling. Moments later, the Cardinals scored on a corner kick that deflected off an SLU defender making it 2-0.
 
Lamar (12-5-2) outshot the Lady Lions in the first half 9-3 including 5 to 1 on shots on goal. The match was halted by lightning just as the first half ended resulting in a 35-minute delay.
 
As had been the case all season long, the Lady Lions refused to give up as they came roaring back in the second half.
 
In the 49^th minute, SLU's Tilly Hallas-Potts played a beautiful ball to Christina Cutura who headed it in trimming the lead to 2-1.
 
Moments later, freshman defender Claire Huston played a perfect corner kick right in front of the Lamar net which was deflected into the goal by an LU defender tying the match at 2-2 in the 55^th minute.
 
SLU had the defending Southland Conference Tournament Champions reeling. However, Lamar retook the lead in the 65^th minute on a goal by Madison Ledet assisted by Amelia Fullmer making it 3-2 LU.  

The Lady Lions continued to pressure the Lamar defense but couldn't cash in as the Cardinals hung on for the win ending SLU's season.
 
"It was a great effort by our girls tonight," said second year SLU soccer head coach Chris McBride. "We never gave up and battled our way back in the match in the second half. I felt like we did a good job of making it uncomfortable for them the entire second half. We never stopped competing and I'm extremely proud of this team for the effort they put forth all season long."
 
Lamar's win puts them in the semifinals against Stephen F. Austin Friday at 7 p.m. SFA upset second-seeded Houston Baptist 1-0 Friday.
 
SLU (7-7-4) finished the season with a lot of bright spots including three selections to the All-Southland Conference Team including senior defender Sofia Olsson, sophomore midfielder Megan Gordon and Huston.
 
Southeastern's improvement in the last year was remarkable. Last year, SLU allowed 25 goals and scored 18. This year, the Lady Lions allowed just 19 and scored 30.
 
"It was a great improvement from a soccer standpoint and a results standpoint," said McBride. "We beat some teams we didn't beat least year and got some positive results from others."
 
Seniors Payton Colson, Vanessa Arzaluz, Cutura and Olsson's storied careers came to an end but not without leaving an everlasting mark on the program. The four combined to play in 240 matches and scored 38 goals in their careers.
 
"This group of seniors have been great since the moment I got here," said McBride. "I appreciate their dedication to this program and willingness to improve every day more than they know. I'm proud to have the opportunity to have coached all four of them."
 
2018 SOUTHLAND CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT BRACKET
 
Wednesday, Oct. 31 – Beaumont, Texas – First Round Results
 
Game 1 – (1) Central Arkansas 5, (8) Northwestern State 2
Game 2 – (5) Abilene Christian 3, (4) McNeese 1
Game 3 – (7) Stephen F. Austin 1, (2) Houston Baptist 0
Game 4 – (3) Lamar 3, (6) Southeastern 2
 
SCORE ONE MORE CLUB/S CLUB
 
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the women's soccer program are encouraged to join the Score One More Club.  Lion alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to Score One More Club are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern soccer program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Soccer, follow @SLUSoccer and @chrismcbride88 on Twitter, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
BOX SCORE
 
Southeastern La. (7-7-4) vs. Lamar University (12-5-2)
Date: 10/31/2018    Attendance: 127
Weather: Overcast, 76, 35% rain, Winds S 10 MPH
 
Goals by period       1  2  Tot
 -------------------------------
Southeastern La.....  0  2 -  2
Lamar University.... 2  1 -  3
 
 SCORING SUMMARY:
  1.  25:21 LAMAR Loftus, Anna (unassisted)
  2.  30:31 LAMAR OWN GOAL (unassisted)
  3.  49:32 SLU Cutura, Christina (Potts, Tilly-Hallas)
  4.  54:04 SLU OWN GOAL Corner kick - own goal by 15
  5.  66:09 LAMAR Ledet, Madison (Fullmer, Amelia)
 
 Shots: Southeastern La. 6, Lamar University 15
 Saves: Southeastern La. 5 (Maher, Nadine 5), Lamar University 2
 (Nygard, Sandra 2)