Box Score THIBODEAUX, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team recorded a program first on Sunday when they defeated Nicholls State, 4-2 for their first Southland Conference win of the season.

The Cardinals (7-3, 1-2) peppered the goal with a season high 26 shots, including 11 on target.  However, UIW was unable to score a goal in the first half and the game went to the break tied at 0-0.

In the second half, the Cardinals drew a foul in the box against the Colonels (9-1-1, 3-1) and Sarah Flores (Harlingen/South HS) converted the penalty kick to make it 1-0 at 46:45.  The previously unbeaten Colonels responded five minutes later when Spencer Valdespino, the leading goal scorer in the conference, notched her 10^th goal of the season to tie the game.

A flurry of goals followed in the 59^th minute.  First, UIW's Amanda Watkins (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) scored her third goal of the season off a deflection.  Twenty-three seconds later, Miranda O'Neill evened the score at 2-2 on a nice shot to the top corner with an assist from Valdespino.

The Cardinals reclaimed the lead for good when head coach Tina Patterson made a move that turned golden.  Patterson subbed in Heather McKinney (Beeville/Jones HS) at the 72:04 mark and she scored on her very first touch, a header off a crossing pass by Megan Baker (Pflugerville/Hendrickson HS) 23 seconds into her time on the field.

The final goal game 26 seconds later when Katie Miller (Tyler/Tyler JC) chipped a shot over Nicholls goalkeeper Amanda Boylson.  It was the team-high sixth goal of the season for Miller who attempted six shots in the game.  Sydney Solomon (Schertz/Randolph HS) and Sarah Johnson (Austin/Home School) did not score, but each fired four shots in the game.  Goalkeeper Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) made four saves in the game to earn the win.

The Nicholls offense was almost entirely driven by the play of Valdespino finished with seven shots and four shots on goal while playing a hand in both goals.  Boylson was credited with seven saves, but took the loss in goal.

The Cardinals are back in action on Friday at 7 p.m. against Oral Roberts at home.
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