SAN ANTONIO- The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team is back home at Benson Stadium for more Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) play as they take on Western Illinois University (WIU) on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7:00 p.m. and Eastern Illinois University (EIU) on Sunday, Oct. 12, at noon.
CARDINALS
Three Ohio Valley Conference games into the season, the Cardinals are 0-1-2 with their strongest performances ending in ties against #10 Houston Christian University and the University of Southern Indiana.
Overall, the Cardinals sit at sixth place in the OVC standings with a 4-3-4 record. The last time UIW was victorious was at home against UTRGV on Sept. 12. Since then, they have tallied three ties and one loss.
The last time the Cardinals met the WIU Leathernecks, the match ended 2-0 in favor of UIW. The Cardinals lead their brief all-time record against the Leathernecks 2-0.
A dominant all-time record continues against the EIU Panthers, as the Cardinals have won all three of their matches. They met last October and won in a shootout, 4-1. Two of those goals came within five minutes, with a shot from
Diego Robles and
Rochaine Baker heading the ball in for a score off a corner kick.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Both Diego Robles and Noe Robles have maintained their shot efficiency within three games of conference play. Diego has five of eight shots on target and is leading the Cardinals in points (5) with two goals and one assist. Noe is right behind him with four of seven shots on target and pairing his one goal with one assist.
- Sophomore forward Emanuel "Manny" Martinez has slowly ramped up his minutes, playing 55 and 58 minutes in the last two games. Martinez has been selective about his shot selection, yet he leads the team in shot efficiency this season, with 87.5% of his shots being on target. He has two goals this season, and he attempted eight shots, with seven of them on target.
- Giovanni Padilla has been a dual-threat facilitator on both sides of the pitch, with his position as a defender, leading the team in assists this season (4).
SCOUTING THE LEATHERNECKS
- The WIU Leathernecks are fourth in the OVC standings with a 1-1-1 conference record and 3-8-1 overall. Their last match ended in a 0-2 loss against Lindenwood.
- German forward Liam Gainey leads the team in points (11) with five goals and one assist this season.
- Benjamin Graham has two game-winning goals this season, with one against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) last week.
How to Follow Games
SCOUTING THE PANTHERS
- The EIU Panthers sit in last place with a 0-2-1 conference record and 1-6-2 overall. Their previous match ended in a loss against SIUE, 0-1.
- Casey Welage leads the team in offense with the most shots on goal (7), two goals and is tied with one assist.
How to Follow Games
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--
