Finally back home after a 5-game road trip to start the 2010 season, the Incarnate Word men's soccer team capitalized on some early good luck and fought through some bad luck to pull out the 1-0 victory over Texas A&M International University on Friday night at Benson Stadium.
Incarnate Word (ranked No. 14 in NCAA Division II and second in the South Central region) played aggressive early on and were rewarded for it when Callum Riley charged into the penalty area and was taken out by the TAMIU goalkeeper in the 23rd minute.
The Dustdevil goalie was issued a yellow card and Riley was awarded a penalty kick opportunity, which he buried into the right corner of the goal as the keeper jumped left (his team-leading sixth goal of the season). That put the Cardinals (5-1) up 1-0 on the scoreboard and things seemed to be fully in their control.
Until just over a minute later when UIW defender Edward Estrada was issued a red card after sliding in and stealing the ball from a TAMIU player, completely changing the mood of the game and forcing Incarnate Word to play a man down the rest of the night.
But, the Cardinals showed why they are ranked nationally and adjusted to the situation, fending off the Dustdevils' five on-goal attempts, most of which came from nearly 30 yards out. A serious opportunity came late in the first half, but a shot that was cracked at the upper-right corner of the goal was deflected away by goalie Chris Fidler, who earned his second consecutive shutout of the season.
UIW will remain at home this week, playing host to cross-town rival St. Mary's University on Sunday night at 7 p.m.
