SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team is back in action on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against Western Athletic Conference rival CSU Bakersfield at Benson Stadium.
The Cardinals (4-2) are beginning their second season as a member of the WAC and they were picked to finish sixth in the conference preseason poll. They are currently ranked 10
th in the region by the NSCAA. UIW has outscored the opposition, 16-5 on the season.
The UIW offense is led by seniors
Noah Keats (Exeter, Eng./The King's School) and
Dylan Kelly (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic HS). Keats leads the conference with seven goals and 16 points in just six games. He has also scored four game-winning goals. Kelly has a goal and three assists on the year and leads the WAC with 0.60 assists per game.
Defensively, the Cardinals are allowing less than a goal per game. Senior
Kieran O'Boyle (Blackpool, Eng./St. Mary's Catholic) leads the conference with a 85.7 save percentage and he has a 0.80 goals against average. The back line is led by
Joe Brown (Nottingham, Eng./The Becket School) and
Alex Hoyl (Dallas/Highland Park HS) in the center.
Jonathan Camarena (El Paso/Del Valle HS) and
Alfredo Zendejas (El Paso/Vista Grande HS) are two outside backs who can push forward when needed. Center midfielder
Miguel Ojeda (Mesquite/Lone Star HS) has been providing the connection between the defense and the offense.
Bakersfield (2-2-2) is attempting 11 shots per game and allowing 13 per game. They have only scored seven goals on the season with two coming via penalty kick. Christian Duarte is the leading scorer with three goals. Nicolas Clever has played all 599:49 in goal for the team this year. He has a 1.50 goals against average and has made 23 saves.
Last year, the Cardinals defeated the Roadrunners in California, 2-1.
Andrew Grossman (Arlington/Mansfield Summit HS) scored a goal in the fourth minute of the first overtime period to give UIW the win.
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