Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – Sophomore MIKAYLA ENGEL scored two second-half goals to rally #5 St. Edward's past St. Mary's, 2-1, Thursday afternoon in the annual “Battle of the Saints” at Lewis-Chen Family Field. The victory keeps the Hilltoppers tied with Dallas Baptist for first place in the Heartland Conference.
 
St. Edward's (16-1, 8-1 HC) put the pressure on St. Mary's (9-8, 3-6 HC) early. The Hilltoppers would pepper the Rattler goal with seven shots in the first 25 minutes. However, it was St. Mary's who would strike first in the 28th minute. An errant pass back to the keeper by the Hilltoppers gave Leah Kirch the ball. She crossed the ball across the box to Leah Snelson, who put it in the net with the keeper out of position.
 
St. Edward's would have a few more chances down the stretch, but that is how the half would end, with the Rattlers in the lead, 1-0.
 
St. Edward's would outshoot the Rattlers, 11-2, in the opening frame, but it was St. Mary's with the spoils.
 
In the second half, the Hilltoppers would come out strong. They would send two shots on goal and take two cornerkicks in the first eight minutes. Finally, in the 55^th minute, St. Edward's struck gold. RACHEL MURRAY won a ball down the left sideline and crossed it into the box. The ball would find JESSICA TRAVES as she headed the ball back to the other post where Engel was there for the tap-in for her 12^th goal of the season.
 
The Hilltoppers continued to dominate the shot total, but couldn't find the mark as this match looked destined for overtime. However, Engel had something to say about that. In the 82^nd minute, Rattler defender Claire Etter was whistled for a foul and a yellow card just outside of the box. Engel took the free kick and deposited it in the upper-90 far post for the game-winner.
 
“She (Engel) has been doing a great job off of the bench all season, but we asked her to start up top today because of injured players,” head coach Nick Cowell said. “She came through in the end and congratulations to her. It is great to have a handful of players that can score. It is tough for the other team to decide who to put their best defender on.”
 
St. Edward's would finish the match with a 19-3 shot advantage, with six of them on goal.
 
“Sometimes our team goes out there and expects to win and doesn't do the little things they have been doing all year,” Cowell said. “The other team can have one opportunity and score, and then you are in a hole, even though you have dominated play. That puts pressure on you. St. Mary's is a dangerous team and they play tough defense looking for a counter attack.”
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Saturday when they host Texas A&M-International in the regular-season finale. Kickoff is set for noon at Lewis-Chen Family Field. The Hilltoppers will need a win to clinch at least a share of the Heartland Conference regular season crown. The victory will also clinch hosting duties for next week's Heartland Conference Tournament. Live stats and video will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
 
“We have to start off strong and take it to the other team early,” Cowell said. “I told them they wouldn't need a team talk before the game because they know what is expected of them.”