Post-Game Interview
Game Photos

SEATTLE, Wash. – The St. Edward's Men's Soccer team fell to Colorado Mesa, 2-1, Thursday afternoon in Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA DII National Tournament at Interbay Stadium.
 
In the early going it was Colorado Mesa (17-3-1) who controlled possession. The Mavericks got off two shots in the first three minutes of action but both were blocked by the Hilltopper back line.
 
St. Edward's (16-3-1) settled in after that and had two early chances of its own. DANIEL RILEY had the first opportunity as he received cross on the doorstep of the goal from PABLO COVARRUBIAS, but the Englishman's shot was saved by Mesa goalkeeper Micah Conrads.
 
The Hilltoppers would control the action from there the rest of the half. COLETON STYMIEST narrowly missed a goal in the 27^th minute when he hit the crossbar.
 
With time winding down in the half, St. Edward's drew a foul in the Mesa end 35 yards from the goal. As the Mavericks tried to stall and let the last 10 seconds run out. ANDREW FOX didn't waste any time and ripped a shot through the crowd. It found the right post and banked in with one second remaining. That would give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead at the break.
 
"The clock was running down, and I just put my foot to it to be honest," Fox said. "They were a bit unorganized and I knew I had to strike it low to keep it from flying over the goal."
 
St. Edward's outshot the Mavericks, 7-4, and put five shots on goal compared to just one for Colorado Mesa.
 
In the second half, the Mavericks gained an early cornerkick at the 47^th minute. After a scramble for a loose ball, Spencer Jackson capitalized and scored his first goal of the season to tie the game.
 
Colorado Mesa took its turn to put pressure on. The Mavericks got three shots from Roy Abergil in the next 15 minutes. One of his shots hit the crossbar and the other was a penalty kick. Abergil's penalty shot hit the left post and bounced away.
 
In the 74^th minute, Abergil finally connected as he took a through pass from Nestor Escobar down the left side. He beat a charging Leib for a 2-1 Mesa lead.
 
What followed in the final 15 minutes of the match was a determined Hilltopper squad putting constant pressure on the Maverick defense. St. Edward's put 10 shots on the board with Conrads making four saves and St. Edward's hit the cross bar as well. Riley's header at the 85^th minute was saved off of the line by a Maverick defender.
 
When it was all said and done, St. Edward's outshot the Mavericks, 18-13, and put 10 shots on goal.
 
"I thought it was a very fun game for the fans and very exciting back-and-forth soccer," head coach Brian Young said. "I thought we came out focused but their was a point where we didn't attack very well. I am very proud of the guys down the stretch because they did not give up. They put a lot of pressure on them, however we just couldn't get the equalizer."
 
St. Edward's ends its season with a 16-3-1 record and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999. The Hilltoppers will say goodbye to four seniors: SAM BURNS, DANIEL RILEY, ANDREW FOX, and COLETON STYMIEST.