University of the Incarnate Word Athletics

HEATHER KOWALIK
 
It was a week of firsts for Heather Kowalik and the Incarnate Word women’s soccer team.  And those firsts added together to make Kowalik the UIW female athlete of the week for September 29 to October 5.
 
It was the first and only game of the week for the Cardinals.  It was Kowalik’s first start of the year in goal.  And the score of 1-0 at Central Arkansas gave UIW its first victory of the season.
 
She had played in each of the previous 10 games but only for a half each time.  This game she went the distance, the full 90 minutes defending the Cardinals net.
 
Central Arkansas had nine shots on goal.  Kowalik saved seven.  None were bigger than the one in the 32nd minute.  It was a penalty kick and normally these are converted.  Not this time however.  She stifled the try and later saved four more kicks to record the shutout. 
 
Kowalik is a junior from Boerne’s Champion High School.  She is studying psychology at UIW.  She now will be on the ballot when Incarnate Word coaches and athletic administrators name a female athlete of the year next May.