Nov. 2, 2008

Box Score

HUNTSVILLE, Texas - Lamar scored two second-half goals including one by senior Aline Pugliesi with 3:49 remaining to upset Sam Houston State, 2-1, at Pritchett Field and close the season with wins in two of its final three games.

It also marked the first road conference win in school history for Lamar (4-11-1, 2-6-1 Southland) as the Cardinals finished their second season of soccer in eighth place in the 10-team league. LU was picked to finish last by the coaches in the preseason after going winless a year ago.

"It is a combination of some terrific play and a group of girls that didn't give up even after being eliminated from conference tournament contention," LU first-year coach Dewi Hardman said. "If you look at our last five games, we lose to McNeese and Southeastern by a goal, we beat Nicholls, lose to SFA by one and comeback to win Sunday.

"It's a great reward for the way we have been playing over the last five games and a just reward of what we have been working on since we arrived here."

Sam Houston (9-7, 4-5 Southland) scored late in the first half when Luana Miessa fed Raquel Bueno for a goal at the 36:46 mark.

Lamar tied the game in the 56t minute on a crossing play from the right side. Lisa Hance sent the ball on goal where Courtney Stocks header went behind Jenny Pence in goal where Carrie Mrazek was waiting and put it home for her first score of the year.

With the end of regulation approaching, Mrazek played a ball into the box where Pugliesi one-timed the ball from 16 yards as it skimmed the inside of the post for the game-winner at 86:11. It was Pugliesi's second game-winner this season and allowed her to close out her two-year career as Lamar's all-time leader in goals, assists, points and game-winning goals.

Freshman goalkeeper Jennifer Gibbs made nine saves and picked up her fourth victory of the season while lowering her goals-against average to just over two at 2.09.

The result also eliminated the Bearkats from the SLC Tournament as they finished seventh - one game behind Southeastern Louisiana for the final spot.

Hardman further explained how proud he was of his team late in the season.

"We played the last two games with nothing on the line except pride. Today's effort shows a great degree of determination to play out the last 45 minutes of your season. So that's a great change in mentality that has taken place with our program."