SAN ANTONIO – The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team secured its spot in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament with a 2-0 win over Western Illinois Thursday and a draw against Liberty on Sunday.
 
Thursdays match was routine for the Cardinals. Playing a tough first half, keeping the sheet clean but also not being able to put points on the board in the first 45. In the second half the intensity was turned up. There was a total of 17 fouls and four yellow cards given between the two teams. On the offensive side the Cardinals fired off 11 shots.
 
Finally, in the 81^st minute Danny Elizalde scored his first goal of the season giving the Cards the late lead. Just three minutes after that the Leathernecks fouled the Cardinals in the box. Sello Diphoko stepped up to take the PK but missed off the crossbar. Timmy Ospina came rushing in finishing the job, putting the ball in the back of the net. With the win UIW locked up a spot in the OVC tournament with seeding on the line on Sunday.
 
The rematch against the Flames was an action-packed match with almost no margin for error with these two playoff teams. The flames jumped on top early scoring two goals in the first 30 minutes. In the 41^st minute Elizalde played a perfect ball in to Peleg Armendariz who scored the first UIW first half goal in a month.
 
The two teams continued to battle and in the 50^th minute William Fagerberg launched a ball from outside the box into the goal, tying the game at two apiece. After 90 minutes the score remained the same and the match ended in a draw.
 
With this result UIW and Liberty will most likely be looking to face off for a third time this season in the first round of the OVC playoffs.  
 
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.    
Follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @UIWMensSoccer.