Aug. 2, 2012

BEAUMONT, Texas - With a little more than two weeks until the season opener, new Lamar University women's soccer coach Orlando Cervantes has to quickly learn about his team.

Cervantes took a major step toward that goal as the Lady Cardinals held their first practice Thursday morning at the Lamar Soccer Complex. The morning session was the first of two scheduled on the day.

"The things that we did today are usually things I would do in the spring," Cervantes said. "We're a little behind, but we'll make it work."

Cervantes, who was an assistant at Indiana University the past two seasons, takes over a club that returns eight starters from last season when it went 9-8-1 overall and 6-2-1 in the Southland Conference.

"There's a lot of talent here," Cervantes said. "They are better than what I thought they would be, which is a good thing."

Cervantes is confident it won't take him long to get to know his players.

"I've been around enough, where I can identify what they can do," Cervantes said. "On a personal level, it may take a little longer, but it won't take too long."

The Lady Cardinals open their season with five straight road games, starting Aug. 17 at Air Force. The home opener is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 7 against Prairie View A&M. For season ticket information, call (409) 880-1715, or visit LamarCardinals.com.

LAMAR