HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team dropped their first game of the High Point Classic on Friday. They lost 2-1 to the High Point Panthers.

In a game where the Cardinals (0-4) outshot the Panthers (2-1-1) 13-6, UIW put together a strong performance on the road.  "The team played well enough to earn at least a draw tonight," said UIW head coach Vince Martinez.
           
It was the Cardinals who dominated the first half of the game and capitalized with a goal in the 33rd minute from senior midfielder Alex De La Garza (Mission/Sharyland HS). Jonathan Camerena (El Paso/Del Valle HS) was credited with the assist after he crossed the ball from the left side to find his teammate in the box.  De La Garza hit the ball straight on the volley into the far corner of the net to make the game to 1-0.
           
UIW maintained the advantage well into the second half but were unable to add on to it.  High Point's leading scorer from the 2013 season, Mamadee Nyepon, dealt the Cardinals two heavy blows with just ten minutes left to go in regulation.  He scored a pair of goals off headers within two minutes of each other at 79:23 and 81:44.  The second goal came off a corner kick from Austin Yearwood to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
           
It was the fourth straight loss for the Cardinals to start the season with all four coming by one goal.  The Cardinals are back in action on Sunday for the second game of the classic.  They play Radford University at 11 a.m.
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