PORTALES, NEW MEXICO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team, ranked 10
th in the latest NSCAA poll, secured the Lone Star Conference title with a 2-1 win at Eastern New Mexico on Sunday afternoon. (
Box Score)
The Cardinals picked up their 11
th straight victory after starting the season with two losses. They are a perfect 4-0 in the Lone Star Conference and with two matches left in the LSC schedule the worst they could finish would be in a tie with West Texas A&M who they have already defeated twice this year. This is the 20
th conference title for the program since its inception in 1986 and first LSC title.
The match with the Greyhounds (9-5-1, 0-2-1) was a defensive battle with the two teams combing for a total of 17 shots and four shots on goal. The Cardinals opened up the scoring in the 17
th minute when
Abraham Campos (Visalia, CA/Golden West HS) headed in a crossing pass from Vincent Bailey (Southport, Eng./Savio HS) at 16:46 for his first goal of the season. Less than five minutes later, Bailey struck on a free kick from 30 yards out to make is 2-0 at 21:11.
The Greyhounds pulled to within a goal after Diego Santos sent in a cross from the left side and Jehmaine Brooks was able to head it in for a goal at 38:10. It was the only shot on goal Eastern New Mexico would manage for the entire game.
Neither team was able to score in the second half as the Cardinals shut down the Greyhounds and allowed only two total shots in the final 45 minutes.
Bailey upped his season total to 14 goals and six assists for 34 points putting him in the top five in goals and points in NCAA Division II. The current 11-game winning streak ties the school record and is the third time in school history the team has won 11 in a row.
The Cardinals have a chance to break the school record for wins in a row when they host LSC rival Midwestern State on Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Benson Stadium.
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