Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – The fifth-ranked St. Edward's Women's Soccer team got a second-half goal from ARI GARCIA for a 1-0 victory over Texas A&M-International Saturday afternoon at Lewis-Chen Family Field. The victory gives the Hilltoppers a share of the Heartland Conference regular season Championship. They will share the crown with Dallas Baptist.
 
TAMU-International (11-5-1, 5-4-1 HC) put pressure on St. Edward's (17-1, 9-1 HC) early in the match with two shots on goal by Sol Medina and Sam Zerilli. Hilltopper keeper DANIELLE LICARIONE was there to make the save on both attempts.
 
St. Edward's controlled the rest of the half, outshooting the Dustdevils, 5-3, as the game was tied at the break.
 
In the second half, St. Edward's midfielder ARI GARCIA finally got the Hilltoppers on the board. The freshman connected from 25 yards out for her first goal of the season. MIKAYLA ENGEL and TAYLOR WISEMAN both were credited with assists on the play.
 
The Hilltopper defense then buckled down, holding TAMU-International to only two second-half shots from there on out.
 
St. Edward's had a chance to put the game away in the 86^th minute when the Dustdevils were whistled for a penalty inside their own box giving the Hilltoppers a penalty kick. Engel took the kick but the Dustdevil keeper was there for the save.
 
Medina provided the last hope for TAMU-International as her shot was saved by Licarione. This preserved the 11^th shutout of the season for the Hilltoppers.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Thursday for the opening round of the Heartland Conference Tournament. St. Edward's will host this year's tourney due to the tiebreaker they won on goal differential with Dallas Baptist. They will take on St. Mary's in the semifinals with kickoff yet to be determined at Lewis-Chen Family Field. Live stats and video will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.