The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team needed a few extra minutes to get a victory at home against the No. 19-ranked Dustdevils of Texas A&M International University on Tuesday night.
Two minutes and one second, to be precise.
At the 2:01-mark of overtime at Gayle & Tom Benson Stadium, the No. 12-ranked Cardinals got a game-winning score from Ivan Yanez that gave UIW the 1-0 win over their ranked visitors from Laredo.
The goal came after a poor clearance attempt by a TAMIU defender resulted in a turnover in the International penalty area. The Cardinals had two quick attempts at the goal that were blocked and redirected – with the last one bounced off a defender and fell in front of Yanez who immediately buried the chance.
The victory improves Incarnate Word to 11-2-1 overall this season and gets UIW a win following last weekend's loss to Midwestern State in Wichita Falls.
The National Soccer Coaches' Association of America responded by dropping Incarnate Word from the 4th-best team in all of NCAA Division II to the 12th spot. However, the NSCAA ranking don't have any real weight whatsoever and the only polls or rankings that do matter are the NCAA Division II Regional rankings that come out on Wednesdays.
UIW debuted as the No.1 team in the South Central Region and, despite losing to MSU last Friday, the Cardinals split the season series against the Mustangs, 1-1. Also, Midwestern State suffered a draw, at home, to St. Edward's University, who UIW defeated, 2-0, recently.
The regional rankings for the NCAA are important because that poll determines which two programs from the region will advance to the NCAA postseason.
The Cardinals will be on the road for two Lone Star Conference contests – Friday against West Texas and Sunday against Eastern New Mexico University.
