Box Score

AUSTIN, Texas – Sophomore MIKAYLA ENGEL continued her outstanding season on Thursday afternoon as the midfielder scored two goals, leading #5 St. Edward's to a 2-0 shutout of rival St. Mary's in the semifinals of the Heartland Conference Tournament. The victory sets up a top-10 showdown for the Heartland Conference Championship on Saturday. The fifth-ranked Hilltoppers take on the ninth-ranked Patriots of Dallas Baptist. The two teams split their regular season games this year with both teams winning on their own home field.
 
St. Edward's (18-1) opened today's match with six shots in the first 20 minutes of action, but could not register a goal. Finally in the 22^nd minute, Engel played a nice give-and-go with JESSICA TRAVES, as she got behind the Rattler defense. She went far post on the St. Mary's keeper to notch her 14^th goal of the season.
 
Just three minutes later, Engel struck again. TAYLOR WISEMAN took a cornerkick and sent the ball to the middle of the box. Engel headed it past the Rattler defense for a 2-0 lead. The two goals gives Engel 15 on the season and she has now scored in each of the past four matches. The Austin, Texas native has tallied seven goals in that timespan.
 
St. Mary's (9-10) looked to get back in the game and registered two shots on goal in the following five minutes of action. Hilltopper goalkeeper DANIELLE LICARIONE was there for the save on both attempts. The score would stay the same as both teams headed into the break.
 
In the second half, the ball stayed mainly in the midfield as both teams only combined for eight shots. Two of those shots were by the Hilltoppers that would have put the game out of reach for St. Mary's. Traves had a chance in the 57^th minute, but Rattler defender Annia Olivares was there for the team save. In the 87^th minute, RIANA SOOBADOO froze the Rattler goalkeeper but had her shot hit off the far post.
 
“Part of this team's strengths is its depth in talent,” head coach Nick Cowell said. “Today, we played 23 players and they all had a part to play in the victory. It will be exciting for the Heartland Conference Tournament to host the top two teams in the region on Saturday.”
 
For the match, St. Edward's outshot St. Mary's, 17-5, and also had an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal.
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action Saturday versus Dallas Baptist in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. at Lewis-Chen Family Field. Live stats and video will be available on the Hilltopper Athletic Website. St. Edward's defeated Dallas Baptist in last year's inaugural conference tournament.