Box Score DAYTON, OHIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team head home after a disheartening 3-2 loss in overtime on Friday night at Dayton.

In a game that was set to be the toughest of their season, the Cardinals (3-4) performed valiantly against the nationally ranked #18 Dayton Flyers (10-0). A devastating blow in overtime sent the Cardinals home disheartened after a hard fought game in which they were on top for the majority.

In an evenly matched first half, both sides battled it out to be the first on the score sheet. UIW led in the offense with a total of seven shots to Dayton's six, with midfielder Alex De La Garza (Mission/Sharyland HS) totaling up the most for the Cardinals. Despite their best efforts, neither side broke the deadlock and they went in to the second half all tied up at 0-0.

The first goal of the game came from Dayton in the 53^rd minute, when defender Christopher Lenning scored a header that came directly from a corner kick taken by Abe Keller. It took the Cardinals ten minutes to make a comeback when Vinny Bailey (Southport, England/King George V) scored off of a Victor Pinal (Dallas/Skyline HS) cross that saw him send a looping header to the far post and into the back of the net.

With the game tied, the Cardinals were hungry to take the lead and their chance came in the 73^rd minute. It was Bailey again who added to the score sheet and scored his fourth goal of the season with a shot from the edge of the box off another assist from Pinal.

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, Dayton made it 2-2 in the 80^th minute when forward Greg Enstone made another header after a long throw in.

The game went into overtime and with just three minutes left before the contest would end in a tie, attacking midfielder Andres Acevedo gave the Cardinals a devastating blow when he took control of a long pass and shot the ball into the left corner.

In a game where the Cardinals fired a total of 22 shots and six shots on goal, head coach Vince Martinez was proud of his team. "I was impressed with the entire Dayton program from players to coaching staff. I was a little disappointed because the ball just didn't bounce our way and a few calls here and there could have been the difference in the game. I was very proud of the team and thought we played with a lot of heart. It was a bitter defeat, but we played well against a top quality opponent," said the coach.

The Cardinals are back in action this weekend on the road against Mercer University. They kick off on Thursday at 6 p.m.
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