The rivalry between University of the Incarnate Word and Midwestern state University in men's soccer dates back well before the Cardinals joined the Lone Star Conference. Even back when UIW was a member of the Heartland Conference, the Cardinals and the Mustangs would battle for the title of the top squad in the NCAA Division II South Central Region.
On Friday, Incarnate Word and MSU did battle again – the first of two scheduled meetings between the two programs as UIW and Midwestern are LSC member and face each other twice in the regular season – and it was another back and forth contest full of dramatic scoring chances, big saves, tough tackling and a rowdy crowd.
In the end, only a single goal was scored – a shot into the upper corner of the far post by Max Gunderson (his first goal of his UIW career) – in the 30th minute and the Cardinals were able to make the goal stand for the 1-0 victory over the No. 3-ranked men's program in NCAA DII.
“Beating a ranked team really does a lot of good for us,” head coach Vincent Martinez said. “It's going to get us some national recognition and get us into the polls (UIW, despite having a record matching other programs going into Friday's game, was not ranked in the National Top 25).”
The fact that MSU (3-1, 0-1) is a member of the Lone Star and was the top-ranked school in the region also helps with regional polls and gives UIW (3-1, 1-0) a leg up on the rest of the LSC.
Gunderson's goal was a thrilling shot as he cut through traffic just after receiving a crossing pass from Jesus Cortez. It was just the second goal against allowed by the Mustangs all season.
made seven saves – including two in quick succession on the goalline late in the second half – for his second shutout win of the year. Doing their best to help Fidler was the Cardinal defense, who found themselves running down and stepping in front of numerous counter-attacks from the Mustangs as the visitors pressed and pressed to get an equalizer in the second half.
