EDINBURG, Texas. – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team will play its last two road games of the season this weekend. First, they travel to Edinburg to face UTRGV Thursday at 7 p.m. and then visit Houston for a matchup against Houston Baptist Sunday at 7 p.m. Both matches are part of the Western Athletic Conference.
OPENING KICK
The Cardinals (4-7-3, 2-3-2 WAC) played a terrific game against the first place, Seattle U last Friday for a 1-1 draw, but then visited Grand Canyon and dropped a 1-0 game. They currently sit in sixth place in the WAC and with three games left, they still have a chance to finish near the top of the standings.
SCOUTING THE VAQUEROS
2016: 4-8-2, 2-4-1 WAC
Last Game: L, 3-0 at Seattle U
Head Coach: Paul Leese
Key Offensive Players:
#10 Jaakko Hietikko, 2 goals, 1 assist, 18 shots
#15 Isidro Martinez, 1 goal, 3 assists, 19 shots
#9 Damian Roszczky, 1 goal, 2 assists, 9 shots
#3 Frederik Frankman, 1 goal, 1 assist, 15 shots
Goalkeeper:
#12 Esa Aalto, 8 games, 11 goals allowed, 27 saves,
Summary:
The Vaqueros grabbed a big 2-0 road win at CSU Bakersfield, but then traveled to Seattle to face the conference-leading Seattle U and lost 3-0. They are much better at home this year. They are 2-2-1 as the home team, compared to 1-5 on the road.
SCOUTING THE HUSKIES
2016: 4-10-1, 2-6 WAC
Last Game: L, 1-0 vs UNLV
Head Coach: Steve Jones
Key Offensive Players:
#11 Malik Key, 4 goals, 1 assist, 24 shots, 3 game winners
#12 Darrell Johnson, 2 goals, 3 assist, 19 shots
#16 Marc Anthone, 1 goal, 4 assists, 22 shots,
#27 Justin Martin, 2 goals, 1 assist, 7 shots
Goalkeeper:
#1 Chance Pope, 15 games, 28 goals allowed, 66 saves
Summary:
The Huskies' two conference victories came against UMKC, 2-1, and UTRGV, 3-1. They are averaging 0.93 goals per game and allowing 1.87 per game. Ten of their 14 goals have come in the second half this season.
THE CARDINAL FILE
2016: 4-7-3, 2-2-3 WAC
Last Game: L, 1-0 at Grand Canyon
Head Coach: Vince Martinez
Key Offensive Players:
#9
Ben Conway, 4 goal, 4 assists, 53 shots, 1 game winner
#4
Wouter Peters, 3 goals, 6 shots, 1 game winner
#11
O'Neal Moore, 2 goals, 2 assists, 19 shots
#17
Ryan Osborne, 2 goals, 2 assists, 13 shots
Goalkeeper:
#0
Jorge Guzman, 12 games, 16 goals allowed, 36 saves
Summary:
The Cardinals are averaging 1.29 goals per game, while allowing 1.5 per game.
Ben Conway's 53 shots rank third in the conference and leads the Cardinals. These are the Cardinals last two road games of the season, where they've gone 2-5-1, compared to 2-2-2 at home.
SERIES HISTORY
UIW and UTRGV played a friendly earlier this season and the Cardinals came out on top 2-1. Last year, the two teams played each other twice. The first game, a non-conference game, ended in a 0-0 tie, while UIW won the second one 1-0 in conference play.
The series between UIW and HBU belongs to UIW. The Cardinals are 6-2 against them, including last year's 3-1 victory in San Antonio.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals will come home to host Utah Valley to close out the season. The game is Nov. 5 at 8 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on Incarnate Word Athletics visit uiwcardinals.com. Be sure to follow Incarnate Word Athletics on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like Incarnate Word Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics
