HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team dropped their first game in the Southland Conference against Sam Houston State University on Sunday afternoon, 4-1.

Sam Houston (1-1 SLC, 2-7 overall) took control of the match abruptly at the start of the game.  Just shy of the fourth minute, defender Ashley Fluty placed a through ball to striker Allie Johnson for her second goal of the season.  The Cardinals had an opportunity to score off of a penalty kick at 30:21 by Megan Baker (Pflugerville/Hendrickson HS), but it was saved by SHSU goalkeeper Kylie Hambleton.  The Cardinals took three shots against the Bearkats in the first half and held them up until 44^th minute when Maddy Panozzo found Ashley Alonzo to make it 2-0 prior to halftime.

In the second half, UIW (0-1 SLC, 0-7 overall) attacked in the 57^th minute and cut the lead in half.  Freshman Nikki Popa (San Antonio/Reagan HS) put an incredible pass to senior Sarah Johnson (Austin/Home School) who buried it in the back of the net.  SHSU and Incarnate Word battled for the next 14 minutes until Mariah Titus placed a corner kick to Alonzo for her second goal of the game, this one off a volley.  Seven minutes later, Alonzo nabbed a hat-trick off of a penalty kick.

The Cardinals were out-shot, 18-6 by the Bearkats.  Each team attempted half of their shots in the first half and half in the second half.  The Cardinals played fiercely for the entire match.  Heather McKinney (Beeville/Jones HS) and Megan Stokes (Denton/Guyer HS) each received yellow cards in the match for UIW.  Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) and Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) each played 45 minutes in goal for UIW and each allowed two goals.  Brightwell made one save while Kowalik had four saves.

Kylie Hambleton picked up the win for the Bearkats in goal and made two saves.

The Cardinals will be playing at home this upcoming week against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday at 7 P.M. and on Sunday at 1 P.M against Nicholls.
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