SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team will begin their two-game stretch away from the nest, starting with Liberty University (LU) on Oct. 2 and the University of Southern Indiana (USI) on Oct. 5.
Coming off a tie against Houston Christian University (HCU), the Cardinals look to tally two wins against two conference teams to climb closer to the top of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) standings.
The Cardinals' most recent match against the Liberty Flames was last year in the OVC Quarterfinals on Nov. 10, in which they defeated the Flames 2-0. Since 2023, UIW and LU have scored at least two goals in games against each other. They play on the Flames' home pitch on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. CT.
How to Follow Games
CARDINALS
- The Cardinals have a six-game streak without recording a loss, winning three and tying three in September (3-0-3). They have a 61% win percentage on the season, spanning nine games.
- The Cardinals haven't lost on the road this season (1-0-1) as they prepare for two consecutive conference road games.
- UIW is placed fourth in the OVC standings this season with a 4-2-3 record.
SCOUTING THE FLAMES
- LU is one of two OVC teams to tally their first conference win last week. The Flames met the USI Eagles on the pitch and dominated with a 6-1 win.
- The Flames are tied for third best in the NCAA for total goals this season with 25 in nine games, led by Zach Lifferth (5).
- Flames goalkeeper Tyler Beck has a .659 save percentage this season against 76 shots. Beck allowed one goal against the Eagles last week, marking the first time USI had scored in three games.
In two total games, the Cardinals have a 1-0-1 record against the USI Eagles, with their last match ending in a tie. UIW travels to Evansville, IN, competing against the Eagles at 10:00 a.m. CT on Sunday to end their two-game road stretch.
How to Follow Games
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
- The Eagles are tied for last in the OVC (1-7-0) with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- USI has scored four times this season, all coming from four separate players. Midfielder Tony Murphy leads the team in points (3) with one goal and one assist this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Diego Robles leads the Cardinals in goals this season with three. Robles helped create a spark in last week's game against HCU, scoring the first goal of the game from about 15 yards out.
- Alejandro De La Torre continues to dominate the NCAA charts as he sits in the Top-4 for total saves (45) and inside the Top-15 in saves per game (5). De La Torre has the fifth-highest save percentage in the country (.882), including goalies who've played with 700 minutes or more.
- Giovanni Padilla has played in every game this season and leads the Cardinals in assists with four. He helped Robles tie the game against HCU last Friday.
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.
--UIW CARDINALS--
