SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team finished off a perfect weekend on Sunday with a 2-1 win over visiting Lone Star Conference rival Eastern New Mexico at Benson Stadium. (Box Score)

All three goals in the game came within an eight minute span from the end of the first half to the start of the second half.  The Cardinals (9-6, 9-4) had the better run of play overall though as they outshot the Zias (5-12, 4-9), 26-3 in the match. 

The Cardinals finally broke through on the scoreboard in the 42^nd minute.  Angelica Carrizales (Georgetown/Georgetown HS) sent a corner kick in front of the goal that Jazma Latu (San Antonio/Johnson HS) redirected past the Eastern New Mexico goalkeeper at 41:39.  It was Latu's fourth goal of the season.

It looked like the Cardinals might begin to overwhelm the Zias when they scored a second goal just 35 seconds into the second half.  Amber Guenther (San Antonio/Johnson HS) fired a shot that was deflected by the goalkeeper right to Sarah Johnson (Austin/Home School) who buried it into the bottom left corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.

The Zias responded less than four minutes later to make it a 2-1 game.  Danielle Thurman dribbled from the right side towards the middle of the field and unleashed a laser from 25 yards out that went just under the bar and into the net at 49:27.

The Cardinals continued to blast away at the Zia goal, but Xan Ortiz was up to the challenge as she made seven second half saves and finished with 11 in the match.  UIW fired 16 shots total in the second half, but could not find the goal on any of their last 14 attempts.

Guenther, Johnson and Amanda Watkins (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) each attempted at least five shots for the Cardinals.  With her assist, Guenther leads the team with 17 points on seven goals and three assists for the season.  Goalkeeper Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) made one save and improved to 8-4 on the season.

The Cardinals remain in at least a tie for first place in the conference and could move into the outright lead if West Texas A&M loses or ties at Angelo State today.  UIW's final game of the regular season is Friday at home against Angelo State at 5 p.m.
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