EDINBURG, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team got the 2015 season started on the right foot, literally.  Junior Abigail Koenigs' (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) magic right foot slotted home the golden goal with less than three minutes remaining in the second overtime period to give the Cardinals a 1-0 win at UT-Rio Grande Valley on Friday night.

The Cardinals (1-0) pushed hard in the final few minutes of the contest.  Freshman Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/Hesperia HS) had a shot blocked that led to a corner kick.  Freshman Emily Halal (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS) nearly converted, but her shot was saved by Erica Gonzalez to set up another corner kick.  Megan Baker (Pflugerville/Hendrickson HS) served up another corner kick that went through the box and Halal ran the ball down in the corner before it went out of bounds.    She was able to serve the ball back into the mixer where Koenigs connected on a low bouncer that scooted into the lower right corner of the goal.

"I am so incredibly proud of this group," said UIW head coach Anne Felts after the game.  "They have been working so hard, and more importantly they have really come together as a team.  They played for each other and were patient with their play.  I have to give credit to their goal keeper, she made some big time saves to keep them in the game."

The Vaqueros (0-1) had more scoring opportunities during regulation firing 15 shots while the Cardinals attempted eight.  In overtime, the Cardinals took control and attempted eight more shots to even the line between the two teams.  Stewart led UIW with five shots.  Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) and Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) combined on the shutout.  Brightwell made four saves in the first half while Kowalik earned the victory while making two stops.

Gonzalez played all 107 minutes in goal for the Vaqueros and made two saves.  Diandra Aliaga and Andreya Barrera combined to take nine shots for the home team.

The game was played before a near capacity crowd at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.  The Cardinals will play South Carolina State on Sunday at 11 a.m. in their final game of the UTRGV Tournament.
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