SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team bounced back from a Friday night loss with a confident 3-1 victory over Grand Canyon University on Sunday and rounded off a weekend of home conference play with a performance that puts them in second place.
           
After a tough loss to UNLV on Friday night, the Cardinals (6-7, 5-1) needed to bring their "A" game if they were to remain contenders for the Western Athletic Conference first place spot and they did not disappoint against the Antelopes (4-9-2, 2-4-1).
           
"This was a very good win for us after a tough defeat on Friday," said UIW head coach Vince Martinez.  "It's always hard to tell how the team will respond on a Sunday afternoon game, but they stepped up and were ready from the start.  I am proud of how the team performed today."
           
UIW started the game strong with a pair of close chances within only four minutes of play.  The first fell to junior forward Dylan Kelly (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic HS) who had a one-on-one opportunity with GCU goalkeeper Luca Licciardi, but he was denied a goal with a smart save down to the keepers left.  Shortly afterwards, Alejandro de la Garza (Mission, TX/Sharyland HS) met a cross from Jonathan Camarena (El Paso, TX/Del Valle HS) and finished with a tidy shot from four yards out, but was called offside.

Despite being denied in their opening opportunities, the Cardinals still managed to get an early lead off of a well-placed header from Ben Conway (Wigan, UK/Hawkley Hall).  William Redmann (San Antonio, TX/Smithson Valley HS) was credited with the assist as he delivered the ball that was powerfully met by Conway coming in from the left.

The remainder of the half consisted of the Cardinals firing a multitude of shots at an Antelopes defense that looked weakened by the early goal.  In total, UIW out shot GCU 10-5, and the closest of these came from Camarena who unleashed a powerful volley that was saved by Liccardi.

The Antelopes looked more menacing going into the second half and struck gold with a long range shot from Alberto Sanchez Garcia, who fired the ball past Kieran O'Boyle (Blackpool, Eng./St. Mary's Catholic) from 30 yards out in the 50^th minute. However, the celebration of equalizing was short lived as the Cardinals were awarded a penalty kick just two minutes later.  A foul against Joe Brown (Nottingham, Eng./The Becket School) inside the box drew the call and allowed de la Garza to take the lead for the Cardinals with an accurate penalty that sent Liccardi diving in the wrong direction.

The final goal in the match deservedly came from Kelly, who had applied relentless pressure throughout and created a cluster of opportunities.  A drive from Conway down the left side drew Antelope defenders out to the wing and allowed Kelly to set himself on the far post and finish the ball down to the right after receiving the low cross from Conway.
           
GCU were unable get back into the game in the final fifteen minutes as the Cardinals closed down any offensive drives.  For Liccardi, a total 20-10 shot advantage to UIW, called upon him to make a total of eight saves, while O'Boyle made only two.

The Cardinals are back in action this weekend, as they head out on the road to play Utah Valley on Friday at 5 p.m. and Seattle University on Sunday at 3 p.m.
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