SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer lost their season finale on Sunday afternoon against Southland Conference rival Sam Houston State, 3-1 at Benson Stadium.

The game had been rescheduled twice due to different events and was necessary to solidify the Southland Tournament bracket.  The Bearkats (8-6-3, 5-3-2) wasted little time in leaving their imprint upon the match.  Allie Johnson volleyed a cross from Katie Bunch into the back of the net in the 17^th minute to take a 1-0 lead for Sam Houston State.

The Bearkats snuffed out any thoughts of a Cardinals (3-13-2, 1-7-2) comeback when they scored twice in the final five minutes of the first half.  Off a corner kick, Joanna Nigro scored her first goal of the season when she pounced on a loose ball at 41:04.  Less than two minutes later, Micaela Birt dribbled into the box and beat the UIW goalkeeper with a low shot.

The Cardinals broke up the shutout late in the second half, but it was too late to get back in the game.  Freshman Sabrina Martineau (McKinney/McKinney North HS) put the Cardinals on the board at 86:48 when she headed in a cross from Shelbie Letzer (Copperas Cove/Copperas Cove HS) for her third goal of the season.

Senior goalkeeper Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) made four saves in the first half for UIW, but allowed all three goals to take the loss.  Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) came on in relief and made two saves without allowing a goal in 44 minutes.  Kylie Hambleton was credited with the win as she kept UIW off the scoreboard in the first half.  Magen Ross played the second half in goal for Sam Houston State and made one save while allowing one goal.
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