EDWARDSVILLE, IL – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team beat the Liberty Flames 2-0 in the quarter final of the Ohio Valley Conference tournament, advancing to the semi-final for the second year in the row.
 
This is the third time the Cardinals and Flames faced off this season. The key number seemed to be two as in the first match Liberty took down UIW 2-0, the two teams tied 2-2 in the second game of the year, and the Cardinals were victorious winning 2-0 in the final matchup.
 
In the first few minutes of the game were dead even with both teams getting off three shots a piece and both committing four fouls. 20 minutes into the game Sello Diphoko got the ball on the wing and dribbled between defenders making his way in front of goal. Diphoko fired a shot to the top left corner just past the reach of the goalkeeper putting the Cards on top with a rare first half goal.
 
UIW was not content with just one goal in the half and continued to push for more. Late in the first Miles Merritt sent a ball across the defense that bounced to the head of Manny Martinez and into the goal. The Cardinals finished the first 45 up 2-0.
 
UIW remained solid in defense earning yet another clean sheet this season and earning a spot in the next round.
 
On Wednesday at 6 p.m. CT the Cardinals will face the number one seed, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in a rematch of last season's championship game, this time in the semi-final.
 
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