Sept. 5, 2008

Box Score

A year ago in a loss to South Alabama, Aline Pugliesi netted the lone Lamar goal but it didn't factor into a win for the Cardinals. Friday night she put Lamar on top with a score in the 12th minute to lead LU to the first win in school history - a 2-1 decision over USA at Cardinal Stadium.

Pugliesi found herself with a tough angle in the box and her decision to loft the ball high and deep over Kelsie Langford's head and into the top corner of the goal for a 1-0 LU lead.

The Cardinals came out in the second half and put the pressure on right away. LU got a corner kick two minutes in and after a brief clear by the USA defense, the ball got sent back in the box where Rachelle Barry took a touch pass in traffic from Carrie Mrazek and put LU up 2-0 at the 47:32 mark.

With Lamar then playing with the two goal lead, USA went on the offensive and with 9:44 remaining in the game Brandi Smith notched her team-leading fourth goal of the season when she got behind the Lamar back line and punched a ball over Jennifer Gibbs' head.

The Cardinals then held on in the final few moments as Gibbs turned away two of the five USA shots in the final five minutes. Gibbs, true freshman making her first career start, recorded seven saves.

"The way (Jennifer) was working in training this week, I just couldn't keep her out (of goal)," head coach Dewi Hardman said. "She understands the game very well and used her athleticism to her advantage all game long.

"I am very proud of the girls because of what we demanded in practice. What was most encouraging was that we did a very good job of talking about the commitment to win individual battles and winning 50-50 balls and tonight we did a good job of that."

Pugliesi and Brittany Holmes each had two shots and one on goal to lead Lamar. In addition to Gibbs - Barry, Ericka Predmore, Brittany Ross and Beth Squires played 90 minutes apiece for LU, who worked with just 15 healthy bodies.

USA held a 16-7 edge in shots with an 8-4 margin in shots on goal. USA's Kelsie Langford made two saves in 90 minutes.

Lamar will return to action on Sunday at 2 p.m. when it plays host to Louisiana-Lafayette at the Cris Quinn Soccer Complex. The game will be played on the Spindletop Select Field 1. The facility is located at 9000 Dishman Road, at the intersection of Major Drive and Delaware Street in west Beaumont.