SAN ANTONIO - The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team begins the ever-crucial conference stretch of its schedule this week, as Southland foe East Texas A&M comes to San Antonio Thursday for the league opener.

The Cardinals (3-4-2), who are looking to snap a six-game winless streak, are 19-14-3 all time in conference openers, but just 3-9-1 since joining the SLC in 2013.

One of those three wins, however, came a season ago, when Atiana Lara scored just 15 seconds into the game, Montanna Mathews added a 78th-minute insurance goal and the defense pitched a shutout in a 2-0 victory against Nicholls. 

Here is a look ahead to the matchup between the Lions and Cardinals, who were picked to finish seventh and eighth respectively in the conference's preseason poll.

East Texas A&M (1-4-3)

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

ABOUT THE LIONS: Offense has been very difficult to come by for East Texas A&M, which hasn't tasted victory since topping Grambling 1-0 in its season opener. The Lions have scored just seven goals on the season, which is last in the Southland and tied for 228th in the nation. The game will feature the top-two goalies in the conference in terms of saves per-game in UIW's Hannah Alexander (4.22) and ETAMU's Emmy Finlinson (4.14). Alexander's most recent efforts earned her Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week honors.

MATHCUP HISTORY: Incarnate Word holds a 5-3-2 edge all time, with its last win being a 3-0 final in San Antonio on Oct. 25, 2024. The teams combined for 29 shots but no goals in their most recent meeting on Sept. 28 of last year.

FOLLOW ALONG   

For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on X @UIWAthletics. 

Follow the team on X @UIWWomensSoccer and on Instagram @uiwwsoccer.