SAN ANTONIO -- While a tough two-game stretch ended its chances at the top seed, the University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team can still capture the No. 2 spot at the Southland Conference Championship with a win in its regular season finale.

The Cardinals, who have been held scoreless while going 0-1-1 in their last two outings, enter Thursday in third place in the SLC standings at 5-3-1 with 16 points. They are one point behind Thursday's opponent Houston Christian, which has a record of 4-0-5, and will automatically secure the second seed with a win.

With a loss or tie, UIW could fall as low as fifth, as McNeese (4-2-3) and Northwestern State (5-4) both have 15 points. McNeese closes the year at top-seed Lamar, while Northwestern State hosts last-place UTRGV.

The Cardinals cannot catch Lamar, which at 6-1-2, has 20 points. Incarnate Word can be caught by 4-4-1 Southeastern, which has 13 points, but UIW holds a tie-breaker thanks to a 2-1 win in Hammond, La. on Sept. 27.

A win would give UIW its highest-ever seed at the Southland Tournament. Its previous best was when it earned the No. 3 spot in 2021, a season that saw the Cardinals reach the championship game. It would also clinch the program's first winning season since a 6-5-3 mark in the COVID-impacted Spring season of 2021.

Houston Christian (8-3-7, 4-0-5)

WHEN AND WHERE: Thursday, 7 p.m., Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium

ABOUT THE HUSKIES: It's been a strange season for the defending conference champion Huskies. Despite not losing a Southland game, they have more ties (five) than wins (four) in conference play, and their seven draws on the season are tied for the most of anyone in Division-I women's soccer. Olivia Rossman leads the Southland with eight assists, while Isabella Dillow and Paisley Barela have six goals each. Keeper Emmy McKeon is third in the SLC with 59 saves. One goalie in front of her is Thursday's opponent Hannah Alexander, who has a conference-best 78 stops. 

MATHCUP HISTORY: Houston Christian holds an 8-7-1 edge in a series that has seen wild fluctuations in momentum. The Huskies were 6-0 against UIW from 2013-18, before the Cardinals responded by going 5-0-1 in the next six meetings. HCU has proceeded to win two of the previous three matches, including a 2-1 triumph in Houston last Oct. 12

SOUTHLAND STANDINGS (TOP-SEVEN TEAMS MAKE THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT)

1. Lamar 6-1-2 (20 points)*
2. Houston Christian 4-0-5 (17)*
3. UIW: 5-3-1 (16)*
4. McNeese 4-2-3(15)*
5. Northwestern State 5-4 (15)*
6. Southeastern 4-4-1 (13)*
7. Nicholls 3-3-3 (12)
8. East Texas A&M 3-3-3 (12)
9. SFA 3-6 (9)**
10. TAMU-CC 2-6-2 (8)**
11. UTRGV 0-7-2 (2)*

*Clinched postseason spot
**Eliminated from postseason contention