SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team (0-0-1) opened the 2026 season with a 1-1 draw against UMass Lowell (0-0-1) on Thursday night at Tom and Gayle Benson Stadium.
The match remained even through the opening 25 minutes, with the River Hawks' shot in the sixth minute serving as the only attempt by either team during that span. Andres Riera recorded the Cardinals' first two shots on goal in the 27th and 28th minutes, but UMass Lowell broke through 10 minutes later, finding the back of the net in the 38th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Just three minutes later, Diego Robles nearly leveled the match with a shot from just inside midfield, but his attempt sailed just over the post. UIW outshot UMass Lowell, 4-3, in the opening half but entered the break trailing by one.
Zion Long was the first Cardinal to threaten in the second half, forcing the River Hawks' goalkeeper to make a save in the 48th minute. Neither team managed a shot over the next 20 minutes before UIW finally broke through in the 65th minute. Following the Cardinals' second corner kick of the match, Danny Elizalde delivered a ball from the right corner that found Charles Chimezie, who found the back of the net for his first goal as a Cardinal.
With 19 minutes remaining, the Cardinal backline held strong to preserve the equalizer and secure a 1-1 draw.
The result marked the second consecutive season in which the Cardinals have played UMass Lowell to a draw. The teams met for the first time in program history in 2025, with UIW and the River Hawks playing to a 0-0 result.
UIW stays at home to host Jacksonville on Sunday at 7 p.m.
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