HAMMOND, LOUISIANA – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team will hit the road for the first travel weekend of Southland Conference play. The Cardinals will be playing Southeastern Louisiana on Friday at 4 p.m. in Hammond, LA. They will then travel to Thibodaux, LA to play against Nicholls on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Cardinals (2-7, 0-1) are attempting to snap a 7-match losing streak.  It looked like the team would start the Southland Conference schedule out well when they were leading Houston Baptist, 2-1 last Friday late in the game, but two late goals gave HBU the win.  Junior Abigail Koenigs (San Antonio/Brandeis HS) and freshman Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/Hesperia HS) are leading the UIW offense with seven of the team's eight goals.  Along with freshman Emily Halal (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS), the trio provides the majority of attacking options for the team as they have attempted 45 of the team's 102 shots.

Senior goalkeeper Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) has started in all nine games and has a 2.67 goals against average.  She has made 48 saves in just 540 minutes of action.  Freshman Addie Bachle (San Antonio/Johnson HS) leads the defensive back line and has played more minutes than any other player on the team this year.

The Lions (6-1-1, 1-0 SLC) have been playing better than anyone in the conference throughout the preseason.  Goalkeeper Hope Sabadash has played every minute in goal for the squad and has posted five shutouts.  Gisenia Utreras and Marisa Rodrigues are tied for the team lead with four goals apiece.  Utreras also has six assists and seven shots on goal.  The Lions have won the previous two meetings against the Cardinals.

Nicholls (2-4-1, 0-1 SLC) is led by senior Spencer Valdespino who has been one of the top scorers in the conference throughout her career.  She leads the team with four goals this year and has scored 35 in her career.  The Colonels opened Southland Conference play with a 1-0 loss to Lamar last week.  They have used three goalkeepers with Amanda Boylson getting the most time in goal.  The Cardinals and Colonels have split their last two meetings.
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