Men's Soccer News
CARDINALS GET TOPPED BY ST. EDWARD'S, 1-0 -- posted Friday, October 10 2008
Friday night at Incarnate Word’s Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium saw two Top 25 teams in NCAA Division II men’s soccer go at it in a Heartland Conference matchup between UIW and St. Edward's University.
When the dust settle and the final horn rang, the No. 16 Hilltoppers had managed a 1-0 victory over No. 24 Incarnate Word.
St. Edward’s lone goal came in the first half when John Calandro snuck behind the UIW defense and had a one-on-one opportunity against goalkeeper Ryan Eschenburg. The Cardinal goalie came out and made himself as big as possible, but Calandro’s shot found daylight and fell into the net in the 33rd minute of play.
The game had been back and forth prior to the goal and continued to do so the rest of the way – with each team launching an assault on the other’s goal, only to be repelled and to have its own goal under siege.
At one point, UIW (6-4, 2-1) successfully defended three corner kicks by St. Ed’s (9-2, 3-0) in a two minute period before counter-attacking and letting loose three shots in the same amount of time.
The loss makes UIW winless and goal-less in its last two contests going into Monday’s 1 pm contest at Benson Stadium against West Texas A&M University – which the Cardinals defeated, 2-1, just a week ago.
CARDINALS CAN'T HANDLE NO. 2 BRONCOS -- posted Sunday, October 5 2008
After a comeback victory against a ranked opponent on Friday, the University of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer team lost to No. 2-ranked Midwestern State, 2-0, in Wichita Falls on Sunday.
Incarnate Word (6-2) only managed two shots on goal (eight overall) to the 10 on-goal shots by the Mustangs (8-1).
Rob Humphrey scored twice for MSU, both times in the first half. It was the first game of the season in which UIW had been shut out.
The Cardinals will return home this Friday night in a 7 p.m. showdown with St. Edward’s University in a Heartland Conference matchup.
CARDINALS BUST THE #12 BUFFS, 2-1 -- posted Friday, October 3 2008
Dustin Lemley and UIW beat No. 12 West Texas A&M, 2-1, on Friday
Faced with taking on two Top 25 teams in Division II on the road this weekend, the University of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer team fought hard against No. 12-ranked West Texas A&M University in Canyon on Friday night, coming back with two second half goals and a 2-1 victory.
“This is a great win for us in our region,” UIW head coach John Smith said, pointing out that victories against ranked opponents in the Cardinals’ region will help with post-season seeding.
Falling behind 1-0 before ten minutes had even passed in the first half, the Cardinals (6-2, 2-0 in the Heartland Conference) held on and got to halftime still behind only 1-0.
“We played much better in the second half,” Smith said.
Esteban Bayona won a 50-50 ball inside the WTAMU (6-3) penalty area and beat the goalkeeper for his third goal of the season and tied the game in the 63rd minute.
It was then that Michael Terrell ripped off what Smith called “an absolute cracker” and put UIW up, 2-1, in the 74th minute. It was Terrell’s first goal of the season.
Cardinals goalie Gil Ben Nachum added his sixth win of the year, making four saves against the Buffs.
But despite the victory against the ranked Buffaloes, Incarnate Word can not let up. Up next is a rematch against Midwestern State University on the Broncos’ home turf. Midwestern (6-1) is the No. 2 team in Division II and beat the Cardinals 4-1 in the second game of the year in San Antonio, so UIW must get a win on Sunday.
Not only would beating the No. 2-ranked squad in men’s soccer help the Cardinals’ rankings on the national level, but it would virtually eliminate any games-against advantage that MSU has over UIW currently with the victory back in August.
CARDINALS BOUNCE BACK WITH 2-1 WIN OVER OREMINERS -- posted Sunday, September 28 2008
After a disappointing 2-1 loss in overtime to No. 6-ranked Fort Lewis on Friday, the University of the Incarnate Word men bounced back with a 2-1 victory of their own against Colorado School of Mines on Sunday.
“It was great to get the win after that tough loss in the last game,” UIW head coach John Smith said.
The Cardinals (5-2) took a 1-0 in under ten minutes when sophomore Franz-Ewald Mitterdorfer scored his first of the season off a free kick by Joseph Skiff outside the Oreminers’ penalty box.
CSM (3-4-2) answered back with a shot in traffic off a throw-in seven minutes later, however, and both squads went into halftime tied, 1-1.
The game-winning goal for Incarnate Word came off the foot of sophomore Dustin Lemley, who one-timed a long pass by freshman Jesus Cortez early in the second half. The goal was the fourth of the year for Lemley.
“The goal was one of the most beautiful finishes I’ve seen,” Smith said.
The win gets UIW back in the win column before two more road games. The first is a Friday matchup in Canyon against West Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. That same weekend, the Cardinals get to travel to Midwestern State University on Sunday, October 5, for a chance at redemption after being defeated 4-1 at home earlier in the season in a match that was remembered more for the officiating than the play on the field.
After the road trip ends, the Cardinals will be back home on October 10 for a 7 p.m. showdown against Heartland Conference foe St. Edward’s University.
CARDINALS LOSE TO #6 FORT LEWIS IN OT -- posted Friday, September 26 2008
Carlos Gonzalez scored his first goal of the season on Friday night.
The University of the Incarnate Word dropped Friday night's contest against #6 Fort Lewis of Colorado, 2-1 in overtime.
Fort Lewis's Euan Purcell scored an unassisted, golden goal in the first overtime period to put the Cardinals away.
UIW (4-2) got it its lone goal from freshman Carlos Gonzalez, who took a feed from Esteban Bayona deep in the Fort Lewis goal box for his first goal of the year.
The loss was the first of the year for UIW senior goalkeeper Gil Ben Nachum, and the two goals were the first goals he had surrendered all season - ending four straight shutout victories for Nachum.
UIW faces Colorado School of Mines at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday.
NACHUM, ANKNEY RECOGNIZED WITH CONFERENCE AWARDS -- posted Tuesday, September 23 2008
The Heartland Conference recognized Incarnate Word's Gil Ben Nachum and Ian Ankney as Players of the Week for their efforts over the past weekend.
Nachum, the Cardinals' senior goalkeeper, was named the Co-Defensive POW with Dustin Cherry of St. Edward's University after getting two more shutout wins against conference foes.
The communications major from Israel, was tested five times against Texas A&M International and just twice against St. Mary's - but made a save on a Rattler penalty kick to keep the game scoreless early in a 2-0 UIW win.
In 360 minutes (four games), Nachum has not surrendered a goal and has 13 saves.
Ankney had an impressive weekend for the Cardinals, earning the Offensive POW honor for his efforts.
The Psychology major came off the bench against St. Mary's and connected on a pretty crossing pass for a booming one-timer and a 2-0 lead against the rival Rattlers. On Sunday, starting for the first time so far this year, Ankney scored his second goal in as many games against Texas A&M International University.
Ankney is making the most of his scoring chances, taking four shots total and netting two goals (50%) and putting 3-of-4 (75%) of those shots on-goal.
The Cardinals (4-1, 2-0) have two road matches this week in Colorado. The first game is on Friday in Denver against Fort Lewis, the second s on Sunday against Colorado School of Mines.
ANKNEY, BAYONA PUT CARDINALS ON TOP OF TAMIU -- posted Sunday, September 21 2008
Two goals in close to the opponent’s net in the second half were all the University of the Incarnate Word needed for the 2-0 shutout against Texas A&M International University in Laredo on Sunday night.
UIW, 4-1 overall and 2-0 in the Heartland Conference, scored its first goal when Estaban Bayona put his head on a corner kick by Troy Thompson minutes into the second half for the 1-0 lead.
Less than ten minutes later, Ian Ankney put a shot into the net after a pass by Bayona. It was Ankney’s second goal in as many games.
Senior goalkeeper Gil Ben Nachum needed just five saves for his fourth shutout and win of the season.
The Cardinals will be back on the road for two games in Colorado this upcoming weekend, starting on Friday with a matchup against Fort Lewis in Denver and ending with a Sunday tilt against Colorado School of Mines.
CARDINALS SHUTOUT ST. MARY'S IN CONFERENCE OPENER -- posted Friday, September 19 2008
In the team’s first action in two weeks, and in their first Heartland Conference game of the young season, the Univeristy of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer team defeated cross-city rival, St. Mary’s, 2-0 on Friday evening.
Scoring for UIW (3-1, 1-0) were Troy Thompson and Ian Ankney, both getting their first goals of the year.
Thompson’s goal was an unassisted affair that had the junior dribbled through the St. Mary’s defense before burying the ball into the right corner.
Ankney’s shot was a blast after a cross from teammates Carlos Gonzalez and Michael Terrell.
Both UIW goals came in the second half.
Cardinal goalie, Gil Ben Nachum, recorded his third shutout in as many games played, only having to make two saves.
The Rattlers (1-4, 0-3) had a chance to take an early lead after receiving a penalty kick following a hard foul by Incarnate Word’s Justin Odette, earning Odette a red card for stopping an obvious scoring chance. Nachum, however, made the save on the penalty kick and St. Mary’s never threatened again.
UIW will be on the road against Texas A&M-International at 7 p.m. Sunday.
MEN'S SCHEDULE ADJUSTED AFTER IKE -- posted Thursday, September 18 2008
With the threat of Hurricane Ike tearing towards Texas last week, the Heartland Conference decided to cancel a large number of contests to keep member schools from having to travel into what could have been very nasty weather.
Affecting Incarnate Word was the postponement of the men’s soccer team hosting Newman University on Sunday, Sept. 14. UIW hadn’t played a game in nearly a week and had been looking forward to getting back on the field.
In order to get the conference matchup against Newman arranged, Coach Smith negotiated with St. Mary’s and case up with the following changes to the Cardinals’ schedule:
• The matchup at UIW against St. Mary’s has been moved from November 9th to October 22nd at 7 p.m.
• Newman University will play at Incarnate Word on November 9th at 1 p.m.
IKE CANCELS MEN'S SOCCER MATCHUP -- posted Friday, September 12 2008
With Hurricane Ike heading towards the state of Texas, and with large amounts of rain and strong winds being predicted in San Antonio, the Heartland Conference cancelled Sunday's matchup between Newman (2-3, 2-0) and Incarnate Word (2-1).
No makeup date has been announced.
Newman was going to be traveling down from Kansas for a two-game stint against area teams - St. Edward's on Friday and UIW on Sunday - but league officials decided against having one of its programs heading towards the bad weather.
MEN'S SOCCER RAINED OUT -- posted Sunday, September 7 2008
MEN GET BACK IN WIN COLUMN AGAINST TRUMAN STATE -- posted Saturday, September 6 2008
The University of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer program stepped onto a visitor’s home field for the first time Saturday, fresh off the disappointing 4-1 loss to No. 2-ranked Midwestern State nearly a week ago.
The Cardinals responded by defeating No. 19-ranked Truman State, 1-0, to get back in the win column.
Dustin Lemley, chosen as the Heartland Conference’s offensive player of the week earlier in the week, scored in the second half to keep his goal-scoring streak at three games and get UIW (2-1) back over .500.
Lemley was the beneficiary of a pass by Jesus Cortez near the 18-yard box and then was able to beat the Truman State (2-1) goalie with a shot on the right side.
Incarnate Word found itself battling to generate chances on offense, only getting off nine shots compared to Truman’s 13, but Lemley made good on his only shot of the night.
On the opposite end, Cardinals goalkeeper Gil Ben Nachum made five saves for his second shutout of the season, upping his record to 2-0.
The game had been originally scheduled to take place on Friday, but poor weather moved the contest to Saturday morning. Now, UIW will have to recover quickly for Sunday’s showdown with the No. 21-ranked Hawks of Quincy University (3-0) from Illinois.
Incarnate Word and Quincy are meeting at Truman State for a neutral site-match at 1 p.m.
LEMLEY NAMED CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK -- posted Wednesday, September 3 2008
Cardinals forward Dustin Lemley was named the Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Week for the first week of the 2008 season today by the conference office.
Lemley was recognized for scoring a goal in each of the first two games of the season this past weekend.
Despite coming off the bench in both matches, the McKinney, Texas native had an immediate impact on the field for the UIW (1-1 overall). Lemley fired off 8 shots in the 2-0 victory over Regis University, putting away a goal in the second half for his first tally of the season. In Sunday's match up against No. 3-ranked Midwestern State University, Lemley again came off the bench for head coach John Smith as a change of pace, only this time UIW was down 1-0 in the first half. Lemley went to work and was able to knot the score at 1-1 with his second goal in as many games.
The sophomore leads the conference with a 5 shots-per-game average and is tied for the conference lead in goals with Luis Paiva from the University of Texas Perman Basin.
The Cardinals are currently on the road for a two-game visit to Truman State University in Kirksville, Kansas. UIW faces Truman at 1 p.m. Friday and then takes on Quincy University from Illinois at 1 p.m. Sunday.
TOUGH BREAKS COST CARDINALS AGAINST MIDWESTERN -- posted Sunday, August 31 2008
What should have been a great matchup between two ranked men’s soccer programs at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium on Sunday lived up to the hype.
For about 45 minutes.
After playing to a 1-1 tie in the first half, the University of the Incarnate Word was the recipient of multiple yellow cards as well as a red card to put the No. 21-ranked Cardinals at a two-man disadvantage to No. 3-ranked Midwestern State University. The Mustangs (2-0) made the most of the advantage and put away UIW (1-1) by a score of 4-1 in a Division II matchup that was halted with 10 minutes left to play.
With both teams locked up at 1-1 and approximately seven minutes into the second half, Midwestern attacked the UIW net and forced starting goalkeeper Ryan Eschenburg to come out of the net, causing a collision. After the dust settled, the referee stood over Eschenburg with a red card, forcing the sophomore goalie to leave the game.
In addition, the red card happened in the penalty box, giving MSU a penalty kick against Eschenburg’s replacement, freshman goalie Andy Caesar. With little more than a few minutes to put his jersey on and get out on the field, Caesar made the save on the PK in his first-ever play for UIW.
Ecstatic by his save, Caesar pumped his fists in celebration – and was immediately yellow carded.
The referee wasn’t finished making his mark on the game, however. Only two minutes later, Caesar was forced to come out to make a save in a similar manner that Eschenburg had – and was given his second yellow card of the match and kicked out of the game.
MSU was given a second penalty kick, which was put away by senior Ahmad Ihmeidan against, now, third-string UIW goalie Ian Ankney. The OK proved to be the game-winner, although MSU added two more scores before the afternoon was over.
Both squads finished the match with all starters on the bench, not wanting to risk injury or further cards.
Incarnate Word’s first-half goal came from sophomore forward Dustin Lemley, his second of the season. Lemley was the beneficiary of a sneaky pass by senior Esteban Bayona that split the defenders and allowed Lemley to juke the goalie for an easy score and to tie the match, 1-1.
MSU’s first goal was a header by Kyle Kmeic, assisted by Ihmeidan.
The Cardinals will be back in action on September 5 in a road match against Truman State in Missouri.
CARDINALS WIN SEASON, STADIUM OPENER -- posted Friday, August 29 2008
The first-ever athletic contest at the newly renovated Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium saw the University of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer team defeat Regis University, 2-0, in front of a crowd of 300-plus spectators.
“The crowd was nice,” Cardinals head coach John Smith said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better start. All the effort people put into getting it (the field) done did not go unnoticed by the team.”
The Cardinals (1-0) peppered the Rangers (0-1) with 32 shots, 11 in the first half alone, but couldn’t find the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes.
“We just lacked composure in front of the goal,” Smith said. “At half time, I told them to be patient and the goals will come. And they did.”
UIW struck in the 53rd minute when freshman Jesus Cortez took a long pass out of the Cardinals’ backfield along the sideline and dribbled it deep into the Rangers’ goal box. As Cortez drew defenders in, he then sent the ball against the grain to senior teammate Esteban Bayona, who had an easy put-in from just five yards out for the 1-0 lead.
“I was so thrilled for Esteban,” Smith said. “For him to be out for a year with injuries – he really needed that goal for his confidence.”
Cortez, one of six new players starting for UIW, was an immediate impact from the starting whistle.
“He’s a special player,” Smith said of his young midfielder. “For a freshman, he didn’t perform like one – and he’s only going to get better. Our opponents now have to factor him when preparing for our team.”
Cortez had three shots to go with his assist. Bayona added six shots to his goal.
Sophomore Dustin Lemley added the security goal late in the second half, taking a long pass down the right side into space from Michael Terrell. Lemley cut the ball across the top of the goal box and ripped a shot low past Rangers’ goalkeeper Ben Sabados for the 2-0 lead.
The goal was one of eight shots (five on-goal) by Lemley, who provided energy off the UIW bench.
“Dustin is going to get 5-6 chances every game, he’s such a threat,” Smith said. “He just frightens defenders.”
Cardinals’ goalie Gil Ben Nachum recorded the shutout. He had 10 last season to go with his 12 wins.
Coming to town this Sunday at 1 p.m. will be No. 3-ranked Midwestern State University, which defeated St. Mary’s on Friday night.
Smith expects another hard-fought contest against the Mustangs (1-0), like he does every time the two regional foes face each other.
“Midwestern are always good,” Smith said. “If both teams were 0-10 and facing each other, it would still be a barn-burner. I just know that, year in, year out, their coach puts in a quality side. They’re really the team to beat in this region.”
#21 CARDINALS OPENING SEASON, NEW STADIUM THIS WEEKEND -- posted Wednesday, August 27 2008
Despite the number of workers and machinery working on the site seemingly all hours of the day, the Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium at University of the Incarnate Word will be ready by this Friday night.
That’s good news, because the Cardinals men’s soccer team is scheduled to take the field in the stadium’s first athletic event since the renovation project began at 7 p.m. against No. 23-ranked Regis.
“This has been a long time coming,” Cardinals head coach John Smith said. “It’s nice to see everything come to fruition. Everyone is eager for it.”
Smith’s squad breaks in the new playing surface with two games over the weekend. After Friday’s season and home opener, UIW plays host to No. 3-ranked Midwestern State University at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
“It’s a tough opening weekend,” Smith said. “But there’s no better way to see where you are than by facing two of the top teams in the region.”
On the flip side, MSU and Regis will also be facing one of the better teams in the region, as Incarnate Word was ranked #21 in the NSCAA preseason poll and chosen to finish first in the Heartland Conference in the coaches’ preseason poll.
Regis will be in its first action of the season when they arrive in San Antonio, while Midwestern will have faced Heartland Conference member, and UIW rival, St. Mary’s University on Friday night.
In order to be as prepared as possible for playing on the new artificial grass, Smith and his team have spent the past week practicing at the football stadium in Floresville Independent School District.
“It’s the identical surface,” Smith explained. “It gives us a couple days to get used to the surface.”
Getting used to an artificial field is subtle for the Cardinals, according to Smith.
“It’s usually a quicker surface to play on. You have to play (the ball) to feet a lot more otherwise it’ll go out of bounds. Games on turf tend to have more throw-ins and free kicks.”
The new field, which Smith says “is as close as you’re going to get to grass,” also isn’t as large as the field the Cardinals called home in the past – the old grass field measuring 116 yards long and 75 yards wide (the maximum allowed by FIFA). The new surface’s soccer lines measure 112 yards long by 72 yards wide.
But despite a few yards less on the ends, the speed of the ball on the artificial surface is going to ultimately be an advantage for the Cardinals, once the players, themselves, become accustomed to it.
“It’s going to take us some time to get used to it, but eventually it’ll be (a huge advantage).”
UIW MEN PICKED TO REPEAT AS CONFERENCE CHAMPS -- posted Tuesday, August 19 2008
University of the Incarnate Word’s men’s soccer team was chosen to repeat as champions in the Heartland Conference in the Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Cardinals, who finished the 2007 season with a 13-6-1 overall record (7-2-1 conference) return second-best scoring threat (seven goals, two assists) and Freshman of the Year award-winner Dustin Lemley, Daktronics and NSCAA All-Midwest Region award-winning goalkeeper Gil Ben Nachum (12-6 overall record last year with 10 shutouts) and All-Heartland midfielder Michael Terrell (four goals, three assists).
St. Edward’s University and UT Permian-Basin were picked to finish second and third, respectively. Texas A&M International, St. Mary’s University and Newman rounded out the poll.
The Cardinals start their 2008 campaign on Friday, August 29th, in the home opener against Regis at 7 p.m. The match will also be the first time that the newly renovated Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium will feature an athletic contest.
