Box Score
AUSTIN, Texas – DANIEL RILEY scored two second-half goals in a come-from-behind effort to beat #5 West Texas A&M on an evening that experienced two lightning delays and 11 cards distributed between both teams.
St. Edward's (3-1-1) got the first opportunity to strike, but ANDREW FOX couldn't connect on a penalty kick. Chandler Elder was dealt the first card of the game just 12 minutes into the contest that led to the penalty kick. West Texas A&M (5-1) got on the board three minutes later to take the 1-0 lead. Thomas Vickers scored his first goal of the season, and Conrad Goulbourne provided the assist on a cornerkick.
The Hilltoppers had their opportunities to take the lead late in the first period. ANDREW FOX was awarded three corner kicks in a matter of three minutes, but St. Edwards recorded only one shot. JOSH TAYLOR was the lone person to record a shot during the three-minute span and the Buffalo team blocked it.
At the 40th minute of play, HAIDEN STILES was called for a red card, which meant an ejection from the game, and the Hilltoppers would be down a man for the duration of the match. Down a man, TIM LAGRIMAS was able to muster a shot late in the period, but it sailed wide right and the Buffalo would go into the half ahead, 1-0.
West Texas A&M committed five fouls during the first 10 minutes of play to start the second period, and one of the fouls would be a red card on Christian Suthers. Suthers would be ejected from the contest and now both teams were down to 10 players on the field.
The Hilltoppers took advantage of the two less players on the field, when Riley knotted the game, 1-1, just two minutes after Suthers was ejected. NATE COONS was able to get a shot off, but it was deflected out. ANDREW FOX took the corner kick and Riley was in place for the header and the score. This was Riley's team-leading fourth goal of the season.
Suddenly, St. Edward's was on the attack, and Riley got another crack for a goal, but goalkeeper Garrett Cooper saved it. Riley got a second chance when Coons sent a free kick through the box and Riley snuck behind the defenders and headed in his second goal of the match, and his fifth for the season. The Hilltoppers led, 2-1.
Late in the second period, West Texas A&M had a chance to tie the game when Hilltopper goalkeeper JOHN KASCHAK mistimed a jump and the ball was behind him. Kaschak and his teammates scrambled and were able to block the shot. The Buffalos had a final opportunity in the 88th minute when Conrad Goulbourne attempted a cornerkick. George Beasley's shot sailed wide left. The Hilltoppers would eventually run out the clock and seal the victory, 2-1.
Originally scheduled for 4 p.m., the match didn't kick-off until 5:30 due to lightning in the area. The match featured physical play from both sides as 31 fouls and 11 cards were accounted for between the teams.
St. Edward's outshot West Texas A&M, 13-7 and had a 7-4 cornerkick advantage. The Hilltoppers committed 18 of the 31 fouls.
"I was really proud of the team's effort going down a man 40-minutes into the game and then coming back from a 0-1 deficit," head coach Brian Young said. "It was a good win, but we still have much more to do this season, starting with McMurry on Sunday."
The Hilltoppers will be back in action on Sunday, as they travel to Abilene to take on McMurry in their Heartland Conference opener. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Edwards Field on the McMurry campus. Live stats will be available through the War Hawk Athletic website.
