SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team will be hosting their first Southland Conference game of the season against the Houston Baptist University on Friday at Benson Stadium. Kickoff will be at 5 p.m.

The Cardinals (2-6) are coming off a disappointing weekend at the University of Tulsa Tournament where they dropped games against Oral Roberts and Tulsa.  UIW is looking to get back on the winning track after losing six straight games following a 2-0 start to the season.  Junior Abigail Koenigs (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) leads the team with three goals while freshman Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/Hesperia HS) has a pair.  Senior goalkeeper Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) has taken over the starting role and is averaging 5.25 saves per game.

The Huskies (2-2-1) played in the UT-Rio Grande Valley tournament this past week. HBU dropped the first game against Southern Utah, 2-1 and then tied the host 0-0.  Sabriah Spencer leads the offense with the two goals she scored against UT-El Paso.  HBU keepers Katie Turner and Alanis Guevara combine for a 1.15 GA average and 21 saves.

This will be the first season since joining the SLC that the Cardinals do not face the Sam Houston State (3-3-1) to begin the journey. In the last two encounters against HBU, UIW has suffered losses.  The Huskies are the reigning Southland Conference Tournament champions and played in the NCAA Division I tournament for the first time in school history in 2014.
####
pr15432smm