Emily Hernandez celebrates her game-winning goal against St. Mary's University on Sunday night.
Sitting atop the Heartland Conference, the Incarnate Word women’s soccer team played host to cross-town rival St. Mary’s University on Sunday night in the home finale of the 2009 season.
Needing a win against the Rattlers to stay ahead of second place St. Edward’s University, the Cardinals got a second half goal from Emily Hernandez for a 1-0 victory.
The goal came in the 61st minute of the game and was set up by her sister, Sarah Hernandez. The goal was the 19th of the season for Emily (her fifth game-winner) and the eighth assist of the year for Sarah.
The victory not only improves UIW’s record to 14-2-3 and ups their conference game record to 9-1-1, but it was in front of a decent crowd on Senior Night.
Honored before the contest were seniors Rebekah Garza, Sarah Arditti, Mallory Smith, Lianah Hernandez, Georgia Haas and Leah Bravo.
After the win, head coach Tina Patterson was very complimentary of her team.
“For our team to come together – even despite having some girls banged up – this late in the season is incredible. We’re playing so well right now.”
The final game of the 2009 season will be played on Friday in Laredo against Texas A&M International. If UIW can stay in first place, they will not only win the Heartland Conference championship but will earn the automatic bid into the 2009 NCAA Division II Tournament.