HAMMOND, La. - A game that was all defense for nearly 78 minutes turned into an offensive fireworks display down the stretch, as the University of the Incarnate Word earned a second Southland Conference win in thrilling fashion Sunday.
Peri Olmo and
Olivia Orellana scored goals 5 minutes, 33 seconds apart and the Cardinal defense was able to withstand a late charge by Southeastern for a 2-1 win.
The Cardinal offensive attack had been strong and aggressive all afternoon, but was repeatedly turned away by Lion keeper Kendall Curran, who to that point had made seven saves, many of the acrobatic variety.
But with 12:49 remaining, UIW finally got a shot through, with Olmo scoring off a great pass from
Tyler Coker.
Coker has been involved in both UIW game-winning goals in SLC play, as she scored the clincherÂ
in a 2-1 triumph over East Texas A&M on Sept. 17.
Things seemingly were put out of reach just over five-and-a-half minutes later, when a
Zaiba Ishaque pass found its way to Orellana, who'd gotten free in front of the net for her first collegiate goal.
But what initially seemed like insurance became an essential score, because a Lion offense that had been mostly ineffective to that point quickly found its rhythm.
Just 1:23 after Orellana's goal, top Southeastern scorer Alexandra Knight found the back of the net to make it 2-1 with 5:53 still to play.
The pressure stayed on until the very end. After a foul set up a free kick with 20 seconds to play, Curran came out of goal and made a great pass to Shae Kuntz, but her shot leaked just left and rolled out of play, securing an Incarnate Word win.
Sunday marked just the third time in 16 meetings the Cardinals have beaten the Lions and their first win in the series since a 1-0 victory in Hammond on Sept. 27, 2019.
UIW is back to .500 at 5-5-2 on the season and 2-1 in the SLC.
Next up is a Thursday home matchup with preseason conference favorite Northwestern State at 7 p.m. After starting the year 0-5, the Demons have won five in a row and are 2-0 in the SLC.
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