Box Score SAN ANTONIO, Texas – KYLE RUCK scored the golden goal for the Hilltoppers during the second installment of "Battle of the Saints" on a cloudy and drizzling Monday afternoon at the Sigma Beta Chi Field. The goal proved to be golden as it earned the Hilltoppers their second straight Heartland Conference Championship. Head Coach Brian Young commented, "I am really happy for the team and all the work they put into winning back-to-back championships."
 
The Rattlers wasted no time trying to spoil the Hilltoppers' opportunity of bringing home the conference championship. St. Mary's jumped out to an early 2-0 lead within the first 15 minutes of action.
 
Jack Wolf scored the first goal for St. Mary's at the 6:57 mark of the first period. Wolf found the rebound off a save from a free kick and headed it past the keeper top shelf for his 10^th goal of the season and a 1-0 lead. Alex Gonzalez quickly made it a 2-0 lead during the 13^th minute. Gonzalez scored his seventh goal off a free kick that went over goalkeeper KEVIN LEIB's hand.
 
The Hilltoppers quickly responded with a goal by JACK BLANTON. Blanton was awarded a penalty kick and he put it past the keeper for his third goal of the year and cut the lead to 2-1 at the 14:09 mark in the first period.
 
After three goals were scored in less than 15 minutes of play, the game turned into a defensive battle. It wasn't until the 74^th minute that another goal was scored and it came from Hilltopper forward, ANDERSON MCDANIEL. McDaniel scored his second goal of the season and tied the game at 2-2. His shot bounced off the top crossbar and went into the net.
 
Just over two minutes into the first overtime period, KYLE RUCK scored the golden goal of the match, giving the Hilltoppers the 3-2 win and the Heartland Conference Championship. NATE COONS passed to Ruck down the left side and Ruck beat the keeper for the goal.
 
Coach Young stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand, "We have a very important match on Sunday. In order for the team to make a great case to the NCAA committee we have to perform well and get the result against St. Mary's on Senior Day. It would be a great gift for the four seniors."
 
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Sunday Nov. 10, for a third installment of "Battle of the Saints" and Senior Day. The game will not count towards the Heartland Conference standings. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Lewis-Chen Family Field on the campus of St. Edward's. Live stats will be available through the Hilltopper Athletic website.