SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team began the 2019 season in August off a surge of energy after showing improvement under head coach
Emma Wright-Cates' guidance in her first season (2018). The Cardinals proceeded to make program history by earning the team's first berth in the Southland Conference Tournament since joining the league in 2013.
UIW concluded the season in fourth place in the conference with a record of 8-10-1 (7-4 SLC), with the lone tie game being the Southland Conference quarterfinal game against Texas A&M- Corpus Christi that ended in PK's. The Cardinals notched more wins in this season alone than in the past three seasons combined (2016-18).
With 25 team goals and 257 shots, the UIW squad racked up more goals than in the 2017 and 2018 seasons combined; this was also the most shots since 2013.
The Cardinals have continued to excel academically since Wright-Cates took the reins during the 2018 season, earning a perfect 1,000 single year APR in 2018-19 and bumping up the multiyear APR to 990. The student-athletes maintained those strong endeavors in the classroom and community during the fall of 2019, as the team garnered a fall semester GPA of 3.489 and achieved 219 community service hours.
HEAR FROM HEAD COACH WRIGHT-CATES
"I'm so proud of this team and these players. The tremendous strides they have made on the field, the growth they have had in the classroom and the service they so proudly give back to the community is remarkable. I am honored to be a part of their experience and really excited about where the program is heading on all fronts. This past year has set the bar really high."
CONFERENCE RECOGNITION
Throughout the season, four women's soccer student-athletes earned SLC Player of the Week accolades:
Cloe Morales (Defensive; Nov. 3),
Keeley Ayala (Offensive; Oct. 15 & Sept. 10),
Payton Adams (Defensive; Sept. 10) and
Cailey Croson (Goalkeeping; Sept. 10).
After regular season play, five student-athletes were named to the women's soccer Southland Conference All-Conference teams.
Ana Campa (first team; D), Ayala (second team; F),
Brooke Hanson (second team; F),
Hannah Walsh (third team; MID) and
Isabella Beletic (third team; MID) all earned these recognitions based on their performances. All-conference team selections are nominated by and voted upon by each SLC school's respective SID and head coach.
AYALA & CAMPA NAMED TO ALL-ACADEMIC FIRST TEAM
Ayala (F) and Campa (D) were given additional postseason recognition for their hard work on the pitch and in the classroom when they were selected to the all-academic first team.
Ayala (Communication Arts—3.479) was named second team all-conference as a forward. With 13 goals on the season, Ayala scored at least one goal in eight of the 11 SLC matches. She boasted two multi-scoring matches, with two against Prairie View A&M (Sept. 6) and two goals against Houston Baptist (Oct. 11), including the game-winning golden goal in overtime. Her second golden goal shot on the season came against Sam Houston State (Oct. 25) in double overtime. Ayala stood third in the conference in shots with 76, while ranking tied for 15th in the nation for game-winning goals (five). Her 30 shots on goal in 1,497 minutes of regular season play landed her with a SOG percentage of .429. Ayala single-handedly led the nation in penalty kicks attempted and scored with a record of 6-6. In the first round of the SLC Tournament, Ayala racked up seven shots (five on frame) against the Islanders.
Campa (Criminal Justice—3.204) was named first team all-conference as a defender. She led a back line that only allowed 13 goals in conference play (compared to UIW's 20 goals scored in SLC play). Campa started 17 games for the Cardinals this season, playing every minute in those matches.
ADDITIONAL SEASON NOTABLES
Croson stood as UIW's stud goalkeeper on the season, accumulating six shutouts. The 5-3 Fulshear, Texas, native boasted an impressive 70 saves (third in SLC play) with just 19 goals allowed, making for a 1.17 GAA that landed second in the conference.
Senior
Brooke Hanson flexed an impressive year and led the team in assists with seven. In conference play, she finished fourth with five assists but third in game-winning goals with three. Hansen was right behind teammate Ayala who had four game-winners to take second. Hanson found the net five times in 35 shots (18 on frame).
Four Cardinals on the roster started every game this season: Ayala, Beletic,
Taylor Husfeld and
Andrea Reyes. Reyes led the team in minutes played, hustling for the back line of defense for 1,643 minutes.
INCOMING CARDINALS IN 2020
The Cardinals confirmed on National Signing Day
six new student-athletes signed and ready to lace up their boots for the 2020-21 season.
New to the Nest:
- Nicole Estrada | 5'11" | D | Albuquerque, N.M.
- Makenzie Hall | 5'10" | GK | McKinney, Texas
- Lauren Miller | 5'5" | M | Prosper, Texas
- Bailey Moyer | 5'2" | D/M | Highlands Ranch, Colo.
- Drew Walker | 5'7" | D | Plano, Texas
- Sierra Wannamaker | 5'8" | D/M | San Antonio, Texas
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.
