COMMERCE, Texas -- The best University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer season in some time ended with a hard-fought, 1-0 loss to top overall seed Lamar in the semifinals of the Southland Conference Tournament on Thursday.
Just under 12 minutes into the second half, Lamar benefitted from a foul call on the fourth-seeded Cardinals and scored the game's only goal, as SLC Player of the Year Marissa Gross made a great pass to Lauryn Woodard, who pushed the ball into the open net.
Facing a defense that has allowed just 11 goals all season, Incarnate Word was held without a second-half shot until there was just two-and-a-half minutes to play.
That look came from
Montanna Mathews, who was able to maneuver free for a clean shot, only for it to be stopped by conference Goalkeeper of the Year Keely Thomas.
The loss ends UIW's season with a record of 9-9-3.
The Cardinals' nine wins are their most in a season since 2021, which was also the last year the team advanced past the first round of the SLC Tournament. UIW advanced
with a 4-0 win over Nicholls in the opening round Tuesday.
