The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team went into Friday's matchup against visiting Texas A&M-Commerce needing to respond after a loss to unranked Abilene Christian last week.
The No. 25 Cardinals responded very well – defeating the Lions 2-1 despite not having the team's leading scorer, Sarah Hernandez, available to play because of a red card she was issued in the loss – and got back to their winning ways.
Maggie Schrader got things started for UIW (6-1-1) in the 11th minute, stepping into a loose ball in front of the Commerce goal and putting the Cards up, 1-0, early.
UIW peppered the Lions' net with 11 first half shots while Commerce was only able to muster four shot attempts.
In the second half, however, Commerce attacked the Cardinals' goal early and forward Meagan Lasley put away a rebound to tie the game at 1-1 in the 50th minute.
Both teams battled for the go-ahead goal, UIW taking eight shots and TAMUC six, as the minutes ticked away. Finally, with about five minutes to play, Incarnate Word's Cassidy Ballantyne crossed a ball to the far side of the Lions' goal with a low, arching pass – and it was buried into the back of the goal by Lianah Flores for the 2-1 lead.
Commerce had no answer for Flores's game-winner and the Cardinals took the game.
The women will be back in action on Friday, September 25th in a Heartland Conference matchup against Newman University at 6 p.m.
