SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word lost their first game of the week at home against Southland Conference rival University of Central Arkansas, 2-0, on Friday night at Benson Stadium.

The Sugar Bears (6-6, 3-1) possessed the ball for most of the first half.  They kept finding opportunities to get close to the UIW goal, but the Cardinals (3-9, 1-3) defense would not let up.  However, UCA's Kelly McLaughlin received a pass on the right side of the field which allowed her to dribble into the box.  She slipped a shot past Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) in the 32nd minute.  Central Arkansas put the game out of reach in the 37th minute when Autum Schwartz finished one in the box after a deflection.

UIW played more aggressive and created some scoring chances after allowing the two goals, but they could not get on the scoreboard.  The home team tried to rally with ten minutes left in the first half when Kylie Allison (Bellevue, WA/Sammamish HS) dropped a ball inside the box for a double- teamed Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/Hesperia HS) but the ball bounced out of range and was lost to the visitors.

The Cardinals continued to push to create opportunities, but continued to fall short.  They outshot UCA in the second half, 6-5, but the Sugar Bears finished the game with 14 to Incarnate Word's 10.  Freshman Sydney Huntsinger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) made her first career appearance in goal for the team and made three saves in the second half.  Lauren Mercuri picked up the shut out for Central Arkansas and was credited with one save.

The Cardinals will be playing Northwestern State on Sunday at home at 11:00 a.m.
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