BAKERSFIELD, CALIFORNIA – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team make it three straight wins in the Western Athletic Conference after a thrilling match up against leading side CSU Bakersfield.  A golden goal from Dylan Kelly (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic) three minutes into overtime gave the Cardinals a dramatic victory at Main Soccer Field late Friday night.

"This was a wonderful team effort tonight," said UIW head coach Vince Martinez.  "Throughout the early part of the season, the team has managed to stay positive and I could not be happier with their hard work."

Both sides remained scoreless in the first half of the game until the Cardinals (4-6, 3-0) made it 1-0 with a goal from sophomore forward Ben Conway (Wigan, UK/Hawkley Hall) in the 50^th minute of play.  Alejandro de la Garza (Mission/Sharyland HS) sparked the attack with a drive down the left wing that resulted in a long pass to Kelly at the corner of the penalty box.  With one touch, Kelly sent the ball backwards to Conway who was running in from the right and then continued to take a touch inside the box and curl the ball into the back of the net.

The Roadrunners (8-4-1, 2-2) returned the pressure late in the 60^th minute and were only inches off equalizing.  Junior forward Simon Doherty fired a spree of three shots at the Cardinals defense which called on goalkeeper Kieron O'Boyle (Blackpool, UK/St Mary's Catholic College) to make two saves and defender William Redmann (San Antonio/Smithson Valley HS) to clear the ball off the line.

Five minutes later Doherty's fourth shot of the game deflected to teammate Dante Nino who finally put the ball into the back of the net and levelled the game at 1-1. Although both sides threatened to take the lead in the final minutes of regulation, the game went into overtime.

The Cardinals were able to score off of their second offensive drive of the period. Andrew Grossman (Arlington/Mansfield Summit HS) picked up possession on the half way line, dribbled 10 yards and then played the ball to Kelly at the top of the box.  With one touch, he moved the ball away from his defenders and slotted it past the keeper to win the game.

In an intense battle, the Roadrunners outshot the Cardinals 14-10 and also posted a 7-5 shots on goal advantage, but UIW's defense held strong and goalkeeper O'Boyle kept his opponents off the scoreboard with a total of six saves.  Roadrunner goalkeeper Nicolas Clever made a total of three saves.

The Cardinals are one of only two teams to remain undefeated in WAC play this year along with UNLV.  It has been a great turn around for UIW who opened the season with five consecutive losses, but have now won four of their last five.  On Friday, they played without leading scorer Noah Keats (Exeter, England/The King's School) who was sidelined with an injury.

The Cardinals are back in action on Sunday as they remain in California to play San Jose State University on Sunday at 5 p.m.
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