Box Score SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team opened Southland Conference play on Sunday at home and fell short against visiting Sam Houston State, 3-1 at Benson Stadium.

The Cardinals (6-2-0, 0-1-0) played a balanced contest against the Bearkats (3-5-1, 1-1-0) up until the 40^th minute.  SHSU midfield Tricia Mallory clutched the first goal of the game off a corner from Shelby McDaniel when the ball was not cleared from the box.

Another goal came two minutes later for the Bearkats from Shannon Shields. She received a long ball from the defensive end and chipped the ball over the keeper into the goal. The last Bearkat goal came in 44^th minute by Jacey Hamilton.  Fresh off the bench, Hamilton received a header from McDaniel and finished it in the back of the net.

In the second half, the Cardinals attacked more aggressively to get themselves back in the game.  Sarah Johnson and Katie Miller led the attack on the goal with three shots on goal apiece.  The only goal in the second half came from sophomore Megan Baker.  She took the opportunity of a poorly cleared ball and nailed a shot from 20 yards out in the 85^th minute.

The Cardinals will take the road again and travel to Louisiana to play Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA on Friday at 4 p.m.  Another contest will take place against Nicholls State University on Sunday at 1 p.m in Thibodaux, LA.  Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls are both members of the Southland Conference.
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