COMMERCE, Texas — No. 4 seed Incarnate Word advanced to the semifinal round of the Southland Women’s Soccer Championship, defeating No. 5 seed Nicholls 4-0 in the first match of the event hosted by East Texas A&M.

The Cardinals started strong offensively, recording seven of the first eight shots of the game through the first 22 minutes. They broke through in the 23rd minute on a breakaway goal by Zaiba Ishaque, who had just entered the game off the bench. It was the freshman’s fifth tally of the season.

UIW held its 1-0 lead into halftime and expanded it in the 50th minute. Louise Coates scored to give the Cardinals a 2-0 advantage.

The most impressive play of the match came less than 10 minutes later when Julia Watson floated a ball towards the net from just above the byline at the edge of the box. It floated off the post and in to give UIW a 3-0 lead and an early candidate for highlight of the tournament.

The Cardinals added a fourth when Morgan Heintz scored in the 84th minute. Goalkeeper Hannah Alexander earned Player of the Game honors thanks to her seven-save shutout. Seven stops tied for the second-most in a match this season for the graduate student.

UIW will face No. 1 seed Lamar in the Southland Tournament semifinals at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday in Commerce.