University of Incarnate Word Men’s Soccer got their season under way on Saturday night and it was a perfect start as they managed a 3-0 win over Oral Robertsat Benson Stadium. The Cardinals start just their second season in the Western Athletic Conference and their third as a Division I school this year and will be looking to improve and establish themselves as a Division I school.
The Golden Eagles actually started the match well, having the better of the early chances as they created chances well. In the fourth minute an Alex White corner found Javo Reyes but he could only send his header wide of goal.
But UIW started to get control of the match and in the 25th minute they broke through for the opening goal. Jonathan Camarena saw his initial shot saved by Ben LaCourse before Noah Keats tapped it home to open the scoring.
The half evened out for the remainder but in the final ten minutes of the half ORU started to take charge. But the UIW defense and some wasteful finishing kept the Cardinals 1-0 up at the break after a fairly even half.
The Cardinals came out from the break determined to add to their lead and Ben Conway was looking eager after spending his off-season with Corinthians FC SA of the NPSL. That allowed Conway to come in to the collegiate season in form and he had two shots in the first 15 minutes of the half but could not break through.
The Golden Eagles defense was stretched and that was leading to plenty of fouls, but was effective in stopping UIW. But Conway did finally break through in the 71st minute as he made a superb run and then shot across the keeper to double the lead.
It was another Corinthians FC SA player who wrapped things up in the 77tth minute as Kats and Dylan Kelly set up things well. Their neat passing left Jonathan Camarena in the box in space, and he scored with a delightful chip to make it three.
ORU had their best passage of the half in the final seven minutes but the UIW defense was bolstered by their three goal lead. That allowed them to hold out well, with Kieran O’Boyle only forced to make three saves all match as UIW claimed the 3-0 win.
Texas Soccer News 