SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team defeated Western Athletic Conference rival UM-Kansas City in a battle for third place in their final conference match on Sunday at Benson Stadium.  On Senior Day, the Cardinals earned a 3-0 shut out to close out their home schedule.  

The Cardinals (7-9-1, 6-3-1) were a refreshed side after the tough loss on Friday and outshot their opponents, 21-11 and fired 11 shots on goal while the Roos managed only two.  A first half made up of close calls and opportunities from both sides kept the playing field level until the Cardinals rallied in the second half to take over the game.  

"I was extremely happy with our effort today," said UIW head coach Vince Martinez.  "The team wanted to finish with a win on the final conference game.  Also, the fact that it was Senior Day made it very special."

The game started with exchanges of possession as both UIW and UMKC attempted to find their rhythm to anchor the game, but a goal from Andrew Grossman (Arlington/Mansfield Summit HS) sent the Cardinals into the lead in the 41st minute.  An unexpected pass from Alonso Gallegos (El Paso/Liberty) after a throw-in reached Grossman just outside the box who then found the back of the net via a deflection off of a Kangaroo defender. 

Stunned by a late half goal, the Roos were unable to level the game going into second half and remained subdued until senior Alejandro de la Garza (Mission/Sharyland HS) made it two for the Cardinals in the 55th minute.  A great cross-field pass from Ben Conway (Wigan, UK/Hawkley Hall) released de la Garza behind the Roos defense and then he dispatched a clinical shot into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.  

With the momentum in their favor, the Cardinals continued to create scoring opportunities.  After stealing the ball from a UMKC defender, Conway faked a shot and then cut the ball inside the box beating his defender for a one-on-one chance with goalkeeper Chris McGaughey.  A good save from the keeper kept the Cardinals at 2-0, but just three minutes later he was faced with an even bigger task as the Cardinals were awarded a penalty kick for a foul on Conway.  Victor Pinal (Dallas/Skyline HS) stepped up to the spot, but was denied a Senior Day goal as McGaughey dove to his right to save it.  

Still at 2-0, UMKC midfielder Sylvester Yiadom had a chance to bring the Roos back into the game after connecting from a cross with a back flick from five yards out.  Two UIW defenders blocked the chance and cleared the ball. 

The final goal of the game came in the 83rd minute as substitute forward Dylan Kelly (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic HS) was able to get his sixth goal of the season off of another pass from Conway.  Some great play on the right side allowed Conway to pass his defender and cut inside to play the ball across the box to Kelly who was sliding in.  A left foot finish sent the ball past the keeper from only two yards out. 

Earning the shutout in goal for the Cardinals was Kieran O'Boyle (Blackpool, Eng./St. Mary's Catholic) who made two saves, while McGaughey was called to make a total of eight.  The Cardinals are back in action on Wednesday as they head to Grand Canyon University to close out their season.  They play Grand Canyon on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and remain in Arizona to play the Omaha on Friday also at 7 p.m. 
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