Women's Soccer | 11/12/2014 11:12:00 PM

2014 St. Edward's Women's Soccer Game Notes: NCAA Regional

Game 19:  St. Edward's (14-4) vs. Dallas Baptist (14-4-1)
When: November 14, 2014 - 2:00 p.m. (PST)
Where: Golden, Colo. (CSM Soccer Stadium)
All-Time Series: St. Edward's, 20-5
Last Meeting: SEU, 1-0 (OT), Austin, Texas
Series Streak: St. Edward's, W2
 
        GOLDEN, Colo. – It's only fitting that St. Edward's journey through the NCAA Tournament starts with a familiar rival in Dallas Baptist. The two teams have battled for Heartland Conference supremacy for the last few years and the margins between the two teams are very narrow. The Hilltoppers and Patriots have clashed three times this year, with St. Edward's winning the last two to clinch the Heartland Conference Championship and the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship. The last two matches went to overtime and each game has been decided by just one goal.             
        St. Edward's has experience on its side as they've made six-straight appearances at the NCAA Tournament. They have a number of players that have seen extensive action in the tournament through their three years with the team. The two teams look forward to a fourth and final battle to determine who will take on Colorado School of Mines in the Round of 32 matchup.
 
CONFERENCE RECAP
St. Edward's found its rhythm in Heartland Conference play and cruised to a perfect 8-0 record. They survived an upset bid that rival St. Mary's pushed for with a 2-1 overtime victory before defeating Dallas Baptist 1-0 in overtime just two days later.
 
EXTRA TIME MAGIC
The last two matches have had the Hilltopper faithful on pins and needles for 90+ minutes. St. Edward's has relied heavily on its fitness and depth to wear teams down and have outshot their last two opponents by a 19-5 margin in the second half and overtime.
 
SURVIVING THE STORM
St. Edward's started the season off with victories in three of its first four games. However, they had a rash of injuries that would knock out several starters and key role players towards the middle of the season. The Hilltoppers called on a number of their freshmen to play meaningful minutes and they've produced a 12-4 record to this point in the season.
 
EXPERIENCE AT KEY POSITIONS
The Hilltoppers have a multitude of returning starters at several different positions that have
action in post season play. Veterans like RIANA SOOBADOO, MIKAYLA ENGEL and LAUREN HELLER have all produced several points in the NCAA tournament during their careers.
 
HEAD COACH NICK COWELL
Active DII Coaching Wins
Name                                      Yrs.                      W-L-T            Pct.
1. Gabe Mejail, Merrimack                      34   450-198-51        .680
     Brian McManus, UC San Diego        28   450-78-52           .821
3. Nick Cowell, St. Edward's                  26   361-112-32        .747
4. Mike Cook, Central Oklahoma        22   340-111-25        .741
5. Mike Joy, Tusculum         23                318-133-34                 .691
6. Jeff Bailey, Franklin Pierce                19   315-63-26           .812
7. Laurie Darling-Gutheil, St. Rose    19   295-83-24           .764
8. Mike Cannon, Truman State             22   290-106-44        .709
9. Ali Omar, Winona State  20                287-93-24  .740
10. Bob Sheehan, Northern Kentucky     18            273-82-23           .753
 
Active DII Coaching Winning Percentage
Name                                      Yrs.                      W-L-T            Pct.
1. Joe Bartlinski, West Florida             14   233-34-18           .849
2. Chuck Sekyra, Seattle Pacific           12   210-33-20           .837
3. Brian McManus, UC San Diego        28   450-78-52           .821
4. Lewis Theobald, Central Missouri       8               128-22-17           .817
5. Jeff Bailey, Franklin Pierce                18   315-63-26           .812
6. Adrianne Pietz, Metro State             7      108-26-20           .766
7. Laurie Darling-Gutheil, St. Rose    18   295-83-24           .764
8. Nick Cowell, St. Edward's                  26   361-112-32        .747
9. Mike Cook, Central Oklahoma        22   340-111-25        .741
10. Ali Omar, Winona State                    20   287-93-24           .740
 
CALMING INFLUENCE FROM SOOBADOO
In a season that has featured a number of key injuries to nearly a dozen players, Hilltopper captain RIANA SOOBADOO has helped navigate the Hilltoppers to a 14-4 overall record, including and undefeated Heartland Conference record. She has provided four goals and five assists this season, while helping stabilize a very balanced and aggressive offensive attack.
 
HOT AT THE RIGHT TIME
The Hilltoppers have strung together 10-consecutive victories leading up to the tournament. During Heartland Conference play, St. Edward's has allowed just three goals while putting up 26, despite featuring several different starting lineups throughout the streak.
 
STRONG ON THE FIELD, AND IN THE CLASSROOM
St. Edward's has built a reputation as a Division II power house when it comes to women's soccer, however its accomplishment's in the classroom rival their impressive on the field accomplishments. Thirteen players from last season's team landed on either the Commissioner's Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 GPA) or the President's Honor Roll (3.50-4.00 GPA)