SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team knocked off visiting McNeese State University on Friday night, 2-0 at Benson Stadium in Southland Conference action.
The Cardinals (2-11-2, 2-4-2) were outplayed in the first half, but were able to keep the Cowgirls (6-9-1, 4-5-0) off the scoreboard. McNeese State had two outstanding scoring chances in the first half, but were unable to convert on either chance. They outshot the Cardinals, 7-1 and earned six corner kicks to zero for UIW in the half.
The second half was completely different with the Cardinals serving as the aggressors. "McNeese really took it to us in the first half," said UIW head coach
Anne Felts, "but we were able to get out of the half. We regrouped at halftime and then really started playing in the second half."
The Cardinals got on the board in the 59
th minute.
Abigail Koenigs (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) headed a ball that hit the cross bar and
Heather McKinney (Beeville/A.C. Jones HS) was there for the rebound and score at 58:09. "The first goal was obviously huge," said Felts. "It opened the game up for us to get the second."
Koenigs gave the Cardinals some breathing room in the 78
th minute when she headed home
Sarah Johnson's (Austin/Home School) corner kick to make it 2-0 for UIW. The goals by McKinney and Koenigs were their first of the season. Neither team was able to attempt a shot in the final 12 minutes.
Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) picked up her second shutout of the season in goal for UIW. She made a pair of saves in the first half, but was not called upon to make a save in the second half. Lauren Sestak played all 90 minutes for McNeese in goal and made one save.
The Cowgirls attempted 11 shots in the game and had 12 corner kicks while the Cardinals fired nine shots and had two corner kicks.
The Cardinals close out their home schedule on Sunday at noon against Southland Conference rival Lamar University. The team will honor their five seniors prior to the contest.
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