ODESSA, Texas - After trailing at halftime, 1-0, St. Edward's unleashed an offensive explosion that would result in five goals, Monday afternoon as St. Edward's rolled over UT-Permian-Basin, 5-1, to stay atop the Heartland Conference standings.
 
In the 27^th minute of play, a foul committed by St. Edward's, (12-2-1, 6-0 HC), would give UT-Permian Basin, (1-12-1, 0-6 HC), a free kick from 35 yards out. The ball was sent into the box, found the head of a Falcon forward, and Leib surrendered an early goal to give UT-Permian Basin an early 1-0 lead.
 
In the first half, St. Edward's could not get anything past the Falcon goalkeeper, Eric Beltran, who recorded five saves in the period. DANIEL RILEY had a pair of shots find the gloves of Ellis, and the halftime score stood, 1-0.
 
"I thought our team did well in the first half in terms of generating excellent scoring chances. We just couldn't get it to go in," head Coach Brian Young said.
 
When the second half began, the Hilltoppers showed why they are the Heartland Conference's only undefeated team. In a span of five minutes and four seconds, five different Hilltoppers recorded goals. The first to score was KYLE RUCK, followed by JOSH TAYLOR, ANDREW FOX, KYLE PUJATS, and DANIEL RILEY. Fox, Riley, Taylor, and STEVE AOUDOU also earned assists on the plays. The action all happened at the start of the 53^rd minute of play.
 
From there on out it was all St. Edward's. Collectively, the team recorded a season high, 27 shots, and 16 shots on goal. Reigning Heartland Conference Player of the Year, DANIEL RILEY, would lead the Hilltoppers offensively with 10 shots.
 
"After halftime we came out with more energy, focus, and commitment to finishing out chances. It was great go see so many different goal scorers," Young said.
 
With this win, St. Edward's ends the regular season with an impressive road record of 9-1-1. Its only road loss was in its season opener against Colorado Mesa, in Grand Junction, Colo.
 
Young remarked, "A lot of credit should be given to our team for playing so well on the road, and more importantly playing well in our second match of each weekend during the regular season so far."
 
The Hilltoppers will come back to Austin for its final homestand of the season, ending conference play against St. Mary's and Texas A&M-International, respectively. The Hilltoppers will take on St. Mary's in the battle of the Saints, Saturday, November 1, at 2:30 p.m. at Lewis-Chen Family Field.  Live video and stats will be available through the St. Edward's Athletic Website. It will also be Senior Day for SAM BURNS, Fox, Riley, and COLETON STYMIEST.