SAN ANTONIO - Max Gunderson didn't make the most solid of contact on a service from Jesus Cortez in the first half Friday night at Benson Stadium, but it was certainly good enough to lift Incarnate Word to a 1-0 win in Lone Star Conference play.

The loss was the first regular season setback for the Mustangs since suffering a 1-0 defeat against the Cardinals also in Benson Stadium on Aug. 28, 2009 - a string of 36 matches.

"In this kind of game, you just have to play your best game and take care of your chances," MSU coach Doug Elder said. "We had several good chances, but their first one resulted in a goal."

Gunderson, a senior midfielder, trapped a ball served in over MSU senior midfielder Dean Lovegrove and had an open look at the goal in the 30th minute.

"(Cortez) dribbled the ball across the line and served it in," Elder said. "We thought he shanked it a little, but it went off of his shin and went in. It was a good chance and they took advantage of it."

The Mustangs, who dipped to 3-1 on the season and 0-1 in Lone Star Conference play, had a ball they believed thrown back out into the field of play off of a header and UIW's Chris Fidler made two of his seven saves of the night in rapid fire succession as he made point blank saves of Nathan Fitzgerald and VcMor Eligwe in the second half.

"We headed it in but the keeper reached back and threw back in," Elder said. "You're not going to get those calls on the road."

The Mustangs outshot UIW 18-15 and had a 7-4 edge in shots on frame.

"It was a good game and for us to be on the road and create the chances we did, it speaks volumes," Elder said. "We could have played with more urgency throughout the game."

Elder lauded the play of junior forward David Freeland, who placed one of his five shots on goal, and senior center back Kelly Gill.

"Freeland was in his first game back and played very well. He was able to get behind the defense a few times today," he said. "Kelly played his best game since he's been here."

Midwestern State takes on St. Edward's (Texas) Sunday afternoon at the SEU Soccer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.