Hounds, Zias earn ties

Freedom New Mexico

SAN ANTONIO — So far, Eastern New Mexico University’s soccer teams are hanging around at or near the top of the Lone Star Conference standings. On Friday, both tied with Incarnate Word to stay in contention.

The ENMU men (4-2-3, 2-0-1 LSC) stayed on top of the LSC standings with a 1-1 tie against the fifth-ranked Cardinals (6-1-1, 1-0-1). Meantime, the ENMU women (4-3-3, 2-1-3) stayed tied for second with UIW (4-1-4, 2-1-3) after battling the Cardinals to a 0-0 standoff.

Junior defender Michael Stewart pulled the Greyhounds into a tie with under six minutes left in the first half, beating UIW goalkeeper Chris Fidler on a header off an assist from sophomore midfielder Andy Wilkinson.

The Cardinals grabbed the lead when Callum Riley deflected a Cardinals indirect kick from Vicent Bailey into the net with just over 28 minutes gone.

UIW outshot the Hounds 14-7, but the Hounds had a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.

Senior goalkeeper Sierra Cardenas made nine saves to help keep ENMU’s women even with the Cardinals. It was her third shutout of the season.

The match marked the third time in the Zias’ history they’ve played a scoreless tie, and the first time since 2005.

Both ENMU squads return to action on Sunday with noon (MDT) starts, the Hounds at non-league St. Edward’s and the Zias at Angelo State.