In the final home game of the 2009 season for the University of the Incarnate Word men’s soccer team, the Cardinals crushed the visiting Newman Jets, 4-0.
It was senior day for UIW, and all 10 of the seniors on the squad – Jamie Scope, Michael Terrell, Tom Morrill, Ryan Eschenburg, Ian Ankney, Jeff Boyer, Jonathan Barbarin, Troy Thompson, Jason Cunliffe, and Zack Knight – got to start the game.
“All these guys have worked hard and played hard for us and it was an honor to have them as a part of our program,” head coach John Smith said.
During the game, several of the seniors were able to pad the career statistics with their efforts on the field.
In the 28th minute of play, Jeff Boyer put his head on a corner kick by Michael Terrell to score the first goal of the contest and the second goal of his career.
Another senior, Thompson, netted an additional goal late in the second half off a pass from Tony Reyes that put UIW up 4-0.
Finally, senior goalkeeper Ryan Eschenburg recorded his eighth career shutout, having to make just two saves against Newman.
The other Incarnate Word goals came in the second half.
Jesus Cortez buried a rebound into the goal after a shot by Thompson careened off the Newman goalie’s chest in the 57th minute and Callum Riley simply out-hustled the Newman defense to a loose ball and beat the goalkeeper one-on-one in the 63rd minute.
UIW outshot the Jets 27-4 in the contest.
Incarnate Word is now 7-7-3 overall and 5-3 in the Heartland Conference. The Cardinals have two games remaining on their schedule: Friday November 6th at St. Mary’s University (2 p.m.) and Novermber 8th at Texas A&M International University (7 p.m.)