SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Houston Christian University fought to an exciting 1-1 draw with University of the Incarnate Word in the OVC opener for both teams on Friday night at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. The two rivals went toe-to-toe from the start in yet another intense and physical match in the series, the fourth straight outing in the Alamo City to end up in a tie.
 
A quick pace out of the gate by both teams in the only OVC match of the evening produced several good looks for each squad. HCU put together several strong runs beginning with one by Joby Reid who had his shot blocked just 13 minutes in. Anis Harrar and Ben Thirkill each had efforts on goal stymied by UIW's Alejandro De La Torre.
 
Incarnate Word picked up the first goal of the match when Diego Robles had a go from 15 yards out. The ball took an unlucky glance off an HCU defender and trickled past Alex Aitken's left side to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage, which they would take to the break.
 
There was no letup to the back-and-forth after intermission as UIW continued to look for a second goal and HCU chased the equalizer. The Cardinals wasted no time, as four minutes into the half a shot from Sello Diphoko on the right endline was met by a brilliant kick save from Aitken.
 
In the 58th minute Ron Pressler took a ball on the right side, made a turn and carried it to the byline. A quick stop and entry into the middle of the box found D'Alessandro Herrera, who made one soft touch, turned and fired in a shot past a sprawling De La Torre to knot the match at one apiece.
 
The two teams weren't willing to settle. A shot by Rio Pemberton was knocked away by De La Torre with 20 minutes left and with 15 to go, Nana Obeng put a long distance charge that De La Torre leaped to knock over the top crossbar.
 
The Cardinals had several chances in the final 20 minutes as well denied by the HCU defense. Bryce Tober was errant on a shot in the 71st minute and just a couple of moments later, Aitken got a mitt on Noe Robles shots from eight yards away.
 
Two more chances came up empty for UIW in the final six, the first as Tober went wide off a corner kick. In the final minute, a shot by Francisco Segura at nearly point blank range was batted aside by Aitken.
 
The Huskies got one final crack at the game-winner, as UIW was whistled for a foul and carded just about 25 yards away from goal with eight seconds to play. Cezar Onut put a blast on target that caromed off the left post and away.
 
The game ended level and the scoresheet was virtually identical to the score. Both teams took 10 shots with seven on goal, scoring once with one assist. The two keepers, Alex Aitken and Alejandro De La Torre, each lived up to their billing with six saves apiece on the night.
 
D'Alessandro Herrera scored his second goal of the season and first since the opener at Pacific. Ron Pressler added his second assist of the year. Diego Robles notched his team-leading third goal of the campaign for UIW (4-2-3 / 0-0-1 OVC), as the Cardinals kept their unbeaten streak alive at six matches.
 
HCU is now 5-2-1 overall and 0-0-1 in OVC play. The Huskies will complete the five-match road stretch next week when they travel for a pair of conference matches at University of Southern Indiana on Thursday and Liberty University on Sunday. 
 
The remainder of the league begins play on Saturday. Southern Indiana is away to Liberty, while Eastern Illinois heads to Western Illinios and defending league champ SIUE opens defense at home to Lindenwood.
 
#DawgsUp