ABILENE, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team heads to Southland Conference rival Abilene Christian University for a 7 p.m. match on Thursday.  The game was originally scheduled for Friday, but was moved up to Thursday.

The Cardinals (3-12-2, 1-6-2) and Wildcats (7-8-3, 6-2-2) each suffered 2-0 losses to Stephen F. Austin last week.  Both teams conceded a goal in the first and the second half.  ACU is in their most successful season since joining Division I and the Southland Conference.  Regardless, since their first matchup in 2008, the Cardinals hold a 4-3-2 record against ACU. Last year, the match ended in a 1-1 tie with the Cardinals taking six shots to the Wildcats 18.

The Cardinals have scored just one goal in their last six games and have 12 all season.  Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/Hesperia HS) and Abigail Koenigs (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) lead the team with four goals apiece.  Freshman Sydney Huntsinger (New Braunfels/Canyon HS) has taken over the goalkeeping duties for the team and has a 0.89 goals against average in 506 minutes.  She has made 44 saves and has an .898 save percentage.

The Wildcats have played very well this season and have a balanced attack.  They have four players with at least four goals.  Dylan Owens is the team's leading scorer with five goals and six assists while Sophie Standifer had five goals and two assists.  Sydney Newton has played the most minutes in goal and has a 1.59 goals against average with 83 saves.

This could be the final game of the season for the Cardinals.  Their game with Sam Houston State could be rescheduled for Sunday if it is needed for the conference to determine playoff seedings.
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