SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team narrowly missed a comeback opportunity, falling, 3-2, to Abilene Christian University in the regular season finale on Friday night.
NOTABLES
- Freshman goalkeeper Margaret Kofron played all 90 minutes and racked up 10 saves, including a clutch PK block.
- Keeley Ayala scored one UIW goal and assisted the other, while tallying six shots (three on frame).
- Cloe Morales scored her first goal of the season as the Cardinals' opening point.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Cardinals began the night gauging the ACU strategy and suffered two first half goals in the 22nd and 29th minute to head into halftime trailing, 2-0.
In the second period, UIW came out with more fire, working off stolen ACU charges to push the ball down field. The defensive line including
Payton Adams,
Ana Campa and
Andrea Reyes led the squad's aggressive return.
UIW refused to go quietly. Ayala found Morales open in front of the net, and Morales finished the job by finding the back of the net to cut ACU's lead to 3-1.
In the 74th minute, Ayala capitalized on a pass from Reyes, utilizing a misstep from the ACU goalkeeper and scoring her 13th goal on the season.
UIW fought hard, but was unable to amass any more goals as ACU secured the 3-2 win.
UP NEXT
The Cardinals are set for their first appearance in the Southland Conference Tournament in program history, spanning from Nov. 6-10 in Conway, Arkansas.
Tonight's loss secures UIW's position as the fourth seed for the Southland Conference Tournament, due to a Texas A&M- Corpus Christi (No. 5) loss and a Northwestern State University (No. 2) win.
UIW's first match in tournament play is set for Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. as they face #5 seed TAMUCC.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit
uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on Twitter @UIWAthletics and like UIW Athletics on Facebook at UIW Athletics.
Follow the team on Twitter @UIWWomensSoccer and on Instagram @uiwwsoccer.
