Box Score OMAHA, NEBRASKA – The University of the Incarnate Word Women's soccer team opened their official season with a 2-0 loss at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Neither side posed much of a threat in the early stages of the first half, with the Cardinals (0-1) offering only four shots at the Mavericks (1-0) defense. A break in the 40^th minute saw junior Maverick Chelsi Rohloff bury a shot from the top of the box into the lower right-hand corner, putting the Cardinals behind going into the second half.

The start of the second half also remained quiet, with neither team taking a shot until the hosts doubled their lead in the 66^th minute with a goal from freshman Lydia Holtmann. An assist from Rohloff placed the ball in the center of the box for Holtmann to tap it in to the back of the net.

In an attempt to stage a comeback, the Cardinals applied pressure in the offense in the closing stages of the game. Kathryn Mundy (Houston/Pope John XXIII) and Nikki Popa (San Antonio/Reagan HS) both took shots that called on Mavericks goalkeeper Katlyn Schochenmaier to make two saves in under two minutes, but UIW failed to make it onto the score sheet.

The Cardinals finished the game trailing, with 10 shots to the Mavericks 12 and with only three shots on goal to the Mavericks six. Nebraska native Haley Nelson (Jackson, NE/Bishop Heelan Catholic HS) made her first career appearance in goal for the Cardinals, making two saves and conceding one goal, while splitting the game with Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) who came on at the start of the second half to also make two saves and concede one goal. 

The Cardinals are back in action on Sunday as they remain in Omaha to play Creighton University at 1p.m.
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